Mozambique: Queue of trucks reaches 15 kilometres at Machipanda border with Zimbabwe

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Mozambique: Queue of trucks reaches 15 kilometres at Machipanda border with Zimbabwe

3:30 CAT | 30 Oct 2023

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: AIM]

A queue of trucks seeking to transit from Mozambique to Zimbabwe and other hinterland countries has been visible for a few days at the Machipanda border crossing with Zimbabwe in the central Mozambican province of Manica.

The congestion was caused, apparently, by the delay in clearing cargo on the Zimbabwean side, and peaked last weekend around 15 kilometres long.

According to the Director of Customs in Manica, Arsénio Luis, cited today by ‘Noticias’, the situation could be overcome soon, especially because “there is an effort on both sides to reduce the flow of trucks to avoid negative impacts on the economy of the countries receiving the goods”.

Luis explained that, when the queue is long on the Mozambican side, vehicles are directed to transit parks in Manica, Messica and Inchope, so as to avoid congestion on National Road Number 6.

He acknowledged that the long queues, which have been occurring since the beginning of the month, are also causing damage to other vehicles.

The Machipanda border, which ensures the connection with neighbouring Zimbabwe and other hinterland countries, is of critical important for the development of the Beira corridor.

“That is why we are in permanent contact with our counterparts to decongest the queues that have formed on both sides,” Luis added.

Impatient at the delays, truck drivers interviewed on Sunday (29-10) by ‘Notícias’ asked government authorities to make customs clearance of goods more flexible on both sides, in order to get consignments to the recipient in good time.

They also claim that they even have to queue when leaving Zimbabwe for Mozambique with empty trucks, potentially waiting five or more days to continue their journeys.

Pedro Faifetin, Rogério Babane and Félix Atanásio, some of the drivers approached at the scene, complained of slowness on the part of customs officials, especially on the Zimbabwean side.

The Machimpada border connects Mozambique by land via the Beira corridor to the countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Source: AIM