Truck drivers dismayed, traffic delays at the Lebombo Border gate

Lebombo port of entry

Delays at the Lebombo Border gate with Mozambique have left truck drivers frustrated, with many queuing for more than 28 kilometres on the N4 in Hectorspruit. Some have been stuck in traffic for days, with no proper facilities such as toilets.

Meanwhile, authorities have urged motorists to exercise extra caution on the road due to the persistent rain in most parts of the province.

And at least one person died following a collision between a sedan, a minibus taxi and a truck on the N4 near Malelane Sunday morning.

Frustrations

A queue nearly 30 kilometres long, leaving truck drivers fuming, with no facilities and their safety compromised.

Truck drivers stuck on the N4 toll road comment on the situation:

One drive says, “I arrived yesterday and I don’t think I will cross the border tomorrow.”

“We don’t have toilets, shops. We are just sitting in the bushes. If they can put jojo tanks,” laments another driver.

“The road is very bad. There are a lot of accidents, people are sitting on the side of the road, and the problem was only the rain is too much. There are mothers with children on the side of the road and i think we need more police to help,” explains other driver, adding, “We are coming from Midrand and going to Mozambique for holidays. We saw a lot of accidents, like burst tyres.”

Elsewhere on the N4. Slow-moving traffic.

Earlier, a sedan, a taxi and a truck collided, killing one person and seriously injuring another near Malelane.

Multiple vehicles with mechanical problems are also stuck on the road. And the persistent rain is not helping matters.

Authorities are concerned about the fatalities, crashes and drunk driving. “This weekend, we have arrested 60 people for suspected drinking and driving, 50 alone where in ngangala, 10 in gert sibande, 7 people have died since friday, bringing the number to 83 since the beginning of the month,” says Moeti Mmusi from Mpumalanga Department Of Community Safety.

On Monday, Border Management Authority Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, will visit the Lebombo Port of Entry to monitor the movement of cargo and people.

Traffic | N4 congested with 28km truck line near Lebombo Border gate