South Africa’s Department of Transport (DoT) has announced plans to build a new toll plaza near the Beitbridge Border Post with Zimbabwe, sparking concerns about its possible impact on cross-border trade and local communities. The proposal, which was published in the Government Gazette for public comment, falls under the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) and National Roads Act. The toll would apply to a 1.1-kilometre stretch of the N1 on the South African side of the Beitbridge border, an area that includes roads, parking, and border facilities. This move follows Sanral’s 2018 decision to classify this section of the N1 as a national road, paving the way for tolling.
Beitbridge is the busiest border crossing between South Africa and Zimbabwe, making it one of the most critical trade arteries in Southern Africa. It connects South Africa’s economic hubs with Zimbabwe and extends further to Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. Every day, thousands of travelers and more than 300 trucks pass through this border, transporting goods across the region. Recent upgrades worth R4 billion were launched in 2018 to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and strengthen security at the crossing. These improvements have already boosted daily traffic volumes, especially for freight.
Currently, tolls and border fees for southbound traffic are collected by Zimbabwean authorities and their concessionaire, Zim Borders. The South African proposal means that these fees could now also be collected on the South African side. According to the DoT’s notice, toll collection may take place within the border post area or at another suitable location. Authorities say the collection point will be chosen carefully, taking into account existing and future activities at the border, as well as methods of payment.
However, the plan has been met with sharp criticism. The Transit Assistance Bureau (Transist), which represents cross-border transport operators, has warned that the new toll plaza will likely spark strong public opposition. Transist CEO Mike Fitzmaurice argued that adding a new toll charge near the border would make an already expensive cross-border supply chain even more costly. He pointed out that Beitbridge traffic is already under pressure due to high fees imposed by Zim Borders, as well as persistent cargo delays caused by unharmonised border systems between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Local voices have also expressed frustration. A clearing agent in Musina, speaking anonymously, said that traders and transporters are already struggling with high transit costs and operational delays. Adding another toll charge on the South African side could make matters worse, further straining a border that is essential for trade in the region. Fitzmaurice also warned that the location of the toll gate would upset local residents who depend on daily travel between Musina and the border for work. He suggested that, if absolutely necessary, the toll should be placed on a bypass road rather than at the border itself, to avoid penalizing local commuters.
The debate highlights the tension between government efforts to generate revenue for road infrastructure and the economic realities faced by businesses and communities that rely on the Beitbridge corridor. While the DoT views the toll plaza as a way to strengthen control over this key trade route, stakeholders believe it risks undermining the efficiency and affordability of regional transport. The coming weeks of public consultation will likely see heated discussions as transporters, local residents, and businesses weigh in on the future of South Africa’s busiest border crossing.