Delays at Beitbridge Border into Zimbabwe frustrate truck drivers

Truck drivers who spend days in long queues for their papers to be cleared before crossing the Beitbridge Border Post outside Musina say they are concerned about their safety.

The delays are reportedly caused by construction work on the Zimbabwean side of the border. Drivers complain of lack of water, ablution facilities, and crime as some are attacked while in the queue.

Truck drivers say delays in the process to cross the Beitbridge border post into Zimbabwe started again last week.  The queues had eased for a while after designated parks to park trucks were established a few months ago in Musina.

Truck drivers say they are getting frustrated as there are no ablution facilities and security on the N1.

“I am coming from Joburg and I have been here for three days, the problem now is food, toilet also, I am offloading in Zimbabwe, I have been here for three days. The environment is very poor here there are no toilets there is no security. Some drivers are even attacked, this is caused by the construction on Zim side there is no space for trucks to exit the border while they are doing the clearance for the Zim side.”

“We are suffering as you can see, we don’t have anything here especially about security because these boys will come and take anything they want so it’s not a safe place”

Meanwhile, hawkers who sell refreshments at the border say they also get attacked by criminals.

“We sell walking.  We get money for rent and food. We are not safe, when we walk we see some robberies and the police will just walk past. Business is good when it’s like this, I sell cosmetics, wallets, and belts,” a hawker says.

The Department of Home Affairs says it is looking for a solution to the congestion at the Beitbridge Border Post.

VIDEO: Truck drivers fearful of possible massive queues at Beitbridge Border Post