Beitbridge Border Post is already feeling the festive season rush, with around 13 000 travellers being processed every day as traffic steadily builds ahead of the holiday peak.
The increase has prompted Zimbabwean and South African authorities to activate a joint cross-border plan designed to keep traffic moving.
The plan also aims to reduce congestion during one of the busiest times of the year.
Joint Zimbabwe–South Africa plan in place
Officials from both countries have implemented an integrated festive season traffic-flow management system running from mid December until January 15, focusing on efficiency, safety and smoother movement for travellers.
Beitbridge serves as the main gateway linking South Africa to Zimbabwe and the wider north-bound regional corridor, including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Angola, Mozambique and Botswana. The border post traditionally records sharp spikes in pedestrian and vehicle traffic during major holidays.
Daily clearance figures show rising volumes
According to Sunday Mail, assistant regional immigration officer at Beitbridge, Lucky Matyora, that since 6 December, the border post has been clearing an average of about 8 000 arriving travellers and 5 000 departing travellers daily.
This is a clear sign that traffic is gradually building toward the festive peak.
He said authorities on both sides of the border are working with harmonised systems. These include the permanent separation of traffic streams and close operational coordination.
Are border officials ready for the festive season?
“We are equal to the task. We have adequate manpower and so far, we haven’t felt the pressure of increased traffic,” Matyora said.
He added that: “We have deployed sufficient staff across all three terminals — buses, light vehicles and pedestrians — as well as the freight terminal to improve efficiency and compliance.”
Festive season numbers expected to double
During off-peak periods, Beitbridge typically clears about 15 000 travellers, 1 000 commercial trucks, 120 buses and 2 000 light vehicles each day. These numbers usually double during the festive season.
On the South African side, BMA Commissioner Mmemme Mogotsi said authorities officially launched the country’s 2025/2026 festive season operational plan on Sunday. The launch took place in Pretoria.
She said authorities will closely monitor major transport corridors leading to land ports. The Road Traffic Management Corporation, the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency and provincial traffic authorities will support the operation.
