Traveller movement at the Lebombo port of entry to Mozambique is now open until further notice, the Border Management Authority (BMA) said on Thursday 12 December.
“The Acting Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Ms Jane Thupana has provided the latest update on the Lebombo Port of Entry, that travellers movement is now open until further notice.
“Pedestrians and small vehicles are being processed minimally with statistics reflecting that 7 471 travellers were processed on 11 December 2024. The statistics indicate that movement is about 50% less than what it was this time in December 2023,” the authority said in a statement.
This after the BMA announced the temporarily suspensions of operations for general cargo processing as well as passenger movements, due to the Mozambique side being affected by unrests on Monday.
On Thursday, the authority added that processing mainly takes place in the early hours and late afternoons when the unrests on the Mozambican side has subsided.
However, the processing of cargo remains suspended due to protesters blocking entry into Mozambique and the BMA is closely monitoring developments.
Truck drivers at the Lebombo Border post claim they cannot cross into Mozambique until January.
“The situation on the N4 corridor remains under close observation in order to minimise congestions. Trucking companies having facilities in Komatipoort are urged to divert trucks to the depots in Komatipoort, while others may divert trucks to the designated truck holding area at km7. Transporters are continuously urged not to dispatch new vehicles to the port until further notice.”
Thupana, reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to effectively managing and resolving the challenges at the border.
“The BMA is working tirelessly together with key stakeholders in the border management sector to manage the situation. We urge all affected parties to exercise patience as we continue to monitor the situation and engage with relevant authorities to find lasting solutions,” said Thupana.
