SA power cuts force Beitbridge ‘border shutdown’

Travelers to and from SA must brace for long border wait
Challenge likely to continue as SA faces continued load shedding

Queues were reported at Beitbridge today and more of the same can be expected as SA power cuts continue

Crippling power shortages in South Africa resulting in intense load shedding have created chaos at the Beitbridge border with Zimbabwe as operations are disrupted, Zim Now has learnt.

Reports say that the SA side suffered a power loss last night at the 24-hour border post.

The SA immigration officials had no way of scanning passports thus bringing everything to a halt.

Along with the power cuts are connectivity issues also adding to the delays.

The backlog created during the power outage on Monday night has affected Tuesday flows with all traffic including pedestrians held up for processing on SA side.

Queues are reported to be more than 4km long.

Traffic going in either direction is affected with reports that SA bound vehicles are stuck on the Zimbabwe side.

SA is in Stage 5 power cuts which translates to around 5,000 megawatts of electricity being cut from the national grid in a staggered bid to prevent a complete collapse.

Zimbabwe acting Head of Immigration Mr Trustworthy Manatsire in August said the border pots processes close to 13000 travelers daily.