BORDER UPDATES: SOUTHBOUND CONGESTION 07/01

The past twenty four hours have seen the shifting of the congestion from small cars to buses and trucks spending the best part of the day on traffic queue that is backing up some good two kilometres and which has hardly moved the whole day.

When we spoke to some drivers they were saying since joining the queue they had moved only twice the whole day. They are likely to sleep on the queue having moved about a kilometre in 12 hours.

The reason for the queue for the trucks getting stuck was that the Zimbabwe side is using the export route for trucks to park buses and since morning the area was full with buses resulting in the trucks not being able to pass through.

Small cars seem to have heeded our call for them to travel early and we saw the border getting busy in flash crowds but also quickly getting empty.

Most South African companies are opening for business tomorrow, that is why this weekend was so congested.

Compared with other years, this year seems well managed.

Happy travelling.

BORDER UPDATES: CONGESTION EITHER DIRECTION

This morning the border was very busy and we expect the situation to worsen late this afternoon as more South African based motorists return to their different bases.



The sheer number of southbound travellers has chocked the border and as much as the border officials are trying their best the situation is critical from time to time.







We have noticed that motorists are all getting to the border all at the same time and in most cases its from late afternoon and at night its worse.

There has been near chaotic situations as drivers jostle to squeeze their way to be the first one to be served.

The situation looks like its likely to worsen as more travellers will be coming through the border after the holidays.

Northbound has also been busy with mainly children coming back from visiting parents in South Africa after holidays. 

Zimbabwe weekend shoppers have also contributed to the long queues.

It is our hope that this period will be handled smoothly by authorities and with promises of improvements in the pipeline we hope this will be the last of the nightmares of travellers.

Happy travelling.

DRIVER FATIGUE IS DANGEROUS

Driver fatigue is one of the major causes of accidents either side of the Limpopo.

By its location, Beitbridge is so remote from business centres such that one has to drive at least 100km to get to a major town.

We noticed that usually drivers would not rest at the border as they would be sorting out papers for both their loads and/or passengers and once out of the border, they are the onces who are again left with the task to remain awake whilst in most cases the passengers doze off. This results in drivers now also getting sleepy and losing control of their vehicles and/or hitting animals on the road.

If night driving the situation is worse as visibility is also affected considerably.

We would like to urge drivers to get some rest and even sleep once they feel that they are tired.

The road, N1 from South Africa and R9 from Zimbabwe is dotted along its length with suitable and affordable guest houses, lodges, and even hotels to give drivers and passengers alike secure places to rest overnight.

We would like travellers who have had the chance to experience the services offered by these establishments to share their experiences with others.

Happy driving.

BORDER UPDATES: BEITBRIDGE NOT BUSY 04/01/18

We are just from the border, its not busy, Zimbabwe immigration, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimra have set up additional traveller processing points and this is proving to be quite effective.

South African Immigtation and SARS are also doing their best having separated travellers into four categories, the pedestrians, motorists, bus passengers and truckers. This has also proved to be quite effective though travellers themselves are messing up with the system as they try to jump queues and in the process delaying the clearing of the border by bus passengers and motorists as they wait for their passengers.

Like we have always said, the best time to get to the border southbound is from mid morning to late afternoon.

Guys, enjoy your driving.  

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TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

Travelling with children internationally.

In the coming few days, many people will be passing through Beitbridge in either direction after the holidays with children going back to their respective bases.

Its not always that these children will be travelling with both parents and in some cases even some children may be travelling without even a single parent.

The upsurge in cases of human trafficking and child abductions has made border officials to be vigilant and ask more questions in situations involving minors.

We have over the years given this guideline on the requirements where children are travelling internationally with or without their parents.

There may be exceptions but these are the general rules.

1. WHERE BOTH PARENTS ARE TRAVELLING.
a. Unabridged Birth certificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.
b. Valid Passport.

2. Where One Parent is travelling
a. Valid passport.
b. Unabridged Birth certificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.
c. Original Affidavit from the absent parent.
d. Certified Copy of identity document and or passport of the absent parent.

3. Where child is travelling with relative/guardian
a. Valid passport.
b. Unabridge Birth certificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.
c. Original Affidavit signed by both absent parents
d. Certified Copies of identity documents and or passport of both absent parents.

4. Single mother (Child uses mother’s surname)(Illegitimate child)
a. Valid passport.
b. Unabridged Birth certificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.

5. Deceased Parent/parents
a. Cerified Copies of death certificate of one or both of the deceased parents.
b. Valid passport.
c. Original Affidavit signed by guardian
d. Unabridged Birth certificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.

Situations and requirements may slightly differ from border to border.

Some borders may accept soft copies of the above mentioned but to be safe its always advisable to have certified copies.

We have received reports of bus crews telling travellers that they can facilitate the crossing of children, we advise travellers its both expensive and illegal and many children end up being trafficked and huge sums being demanded by those who would have crossed with the children.

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BORDER CALM OVERNIGHT

(File picture)

Its unbelievable, the border has been so quiet overnight such that southbound, the Zimbabwe side was taking an average of 10 minutes to process a bus full of travellers.

We could not ascertain of the South African side but the number of travellers was so low.

What we know for sure from our years at the border is that this is a false indication as come Sunday the 4th of January and Sunday the 11th of January there is likelihood of chaos as travellers will in their thousands be heading south after the holidays.

We urge travellers to plan accordingly and avoid the flash crowds.

Enjoy your holidays.

ZRP Roadblocks

                                                   (File Picture)

ZRP Roadblocks-What Happened

This time of the year, many people are driving a lot to or from holiday and this scenario had at one time become a permanent feature on Zimbabwe's roads.

To those who have recently driven through Zimbabwe, did you encounter any road blocks, what was your experience?

Can you say things have indeed changed?

We would like to wish all those who are travelling safe arrivals and please do not drink and drive.

Beitbridge border post has been quiet either direction though we expect some congestion with the southbound traffic.

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