Transporters opt for ‘costly’ Eswatini route

By Ntombi Mhlongo

Mozambican transporters on the Maputo-Durban route have claimed that they are using a much more expensive alternative route to reach their destination following attacks on vehicles in South Africa.

According to Club Mozambique News, the transporters have opted to use Eswatini as an alternative route to get to Durban. However, they have argued that this is not an efficient way as it is much more expensive.

Francisco Mandlate, Secretary General of Mozambique, South Africa and Associated Association, which brings together transporters, is quoted as having said that the issue was of great concern.

At least six Mozambican vehicles, including a bus and a truck, were burnt by assailants on the R22 road, between Hluhluwe and Mbazwana, in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. The stretch is about 90 kilometres from the border and is part of the link used by several carriers between Maputo and Durban.

According to the association, the alternative route is much more costly and bureaucratic, requiring Mozambican vehicles to travel 123 kilometres more to reach Durban. The Ponta de Ouro route, “was much more efficient,” he said.

In addition, they claimed that through Eswatini, people are forced to cross many borders.

“There are more stamps on the pages of passports,” Francisco Mandlate said, alluding to the procedures for entry and exit between the three countries, including some fees applied at the border.

Mozambique, South Africa and Associates Association also said that this was not the first time when foreigners, including Mozambicans, are prevented from working in South Africa.

They demanded therefore that the South African authorities apply measures to stop episodes that culminate in violence. The attacks in recent weeks came after local communities in KwaZulu-Natal complained of several thefts of vehicles allegedly smuggled into Mozambique, which have gone unpunished.

Due to its economic stability, South Africa, the land of the rand (South African currency), is one of the countries which receives the most immigrants from various African regions, but mainly from neighbouring states, including Mozambique.

South Africa, the largest economy in the region, hosts over two million Mozambicans working in mines, agricultural fields and informal trade, according to the latest figures provided by the authorities.