Beitbridge: only trucks carrying essential goods, will be allowed to pass through

Trucks had been stuck since Thursday, after South African and Zimbabwean officials agreed to close the border to non-essential human traffic, effective at midnight on Thursday, when South Africa went into national lockdown.

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi had to intervene to ease congestion, saying it was caused by delays from Zimbabwean authorities due to the country’s own regulations around travel to other countries.

“The department had to allow everyone to pass as Musina does not have the capacity to handle the situation,” he told the media on Friday. He added that as of Saturday, no one will be allowed to leave, except trucks transporting essential goods.

Meanwhile, the Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Mavhugu Lerule-Ramakhanya, joined by Border Control and the Director of Traffic, Allen Matsila visited Beitbridge on Saturday and cautioned people about disregarding the regulations of the lockdown.

“The police, working with the SANDF, are following up on reports from concerned citizens, especially from townships and villages, and will not hesitate to effect arrest. The police will intensify its patrols in these areas,” she said.

This, after reported cases of non-compliance in Thohoyandou and Phalaborwa of which Lerule-Ramakhanyae confirmed that they had been attend to.

“I want to remind our people that this not a holiday, but a lockdown as part of government’s effort to combat the spread of Corona Virus (Covid19) and that all planned sporting tournaments in our communities must be cancelled.”

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