The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) welcomes the announcement by the Border Management Authority (BMA) that operations have resumed at the Grobler’s Bridge and Stockpoort ports of entry.

C-BRTA CEO Lwazi Mboyi welcomes the announcement by the BMA, as it will ease traffic flows along corridors to alternative ports that had been identified during the closure of Grobler’s Bridge and Stockpoort ports of entry.

The two ports of entry, as well as Bray, Makgobistad, and Pontdrift, were closed several weeks ago following flooding incidents. This left the authorities with no choice but to divert cross-border traffic and general travelers to other ports of entry, such as Ramatlabama, Kopfontein, and Skilpadshek that link South Africa with Botswana, and Beitbridge that links South Africa with Zimbabwe.

The diversion of cross-border traffic to these ports of entry saw an increase in traffic volumes along corridors leading to these border posts and this posed safety concerns.

As the situation returns to normal at Grobler’s Bridge and Stockpoort ports of entry, the C-BRTA urges the cross-border road transport operators to exercise caution and remain safe along corridors, says Mboyi.

“We welcome the announcement of the resumption of operations at these ports of entry. The move will reduce congestion and ease the traffic flows towards these ports of entry.

“We would also like to thank the cross-border road transport operators for their patience,” he adds.

Meanwhile, road safety becomes an important factor in the transportation of passengers and goods during the Easter period. Hence, the C-BRTA and the Department of Transport call on operators and drivers to observe the road rules and remain safe at all times.

Following the Easter Season Road Safety launch by Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy on March 20, the C-BRTA will be deploying its law enforcement unit to all major corridors to ensure safer movements of passengers and goods across borders. Mboyi says.