Tipper trucks rerouting through Eswatini to the Port of Maputo because of recurring holdups at the N4 Corridor border posts, along with domestic instability in Mozambique, have suffered another setback after Sunday morning’s devastating collision at the Oshoek Border Post.
According to a media statement distributed by South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA), the country’s primary border crossing into Eswatini has temporarily suspended operations after a 32-tonne articulated rig crashed into the border facilities. Three were injured, and the customs and immigration building and 15 vehicles were damaged.
It is anticipated that the transit could be closed for about a month.
Mike Fitzmaurice, regional vice-president of the African Union’s Organisation for Transport and Logistics, said the eastbound truck had been heading downhill on the N17 towards the border when its brakes appeared to have failed.
The amount of coal scattered at the border suggests that the truck—capable of carrying about 56 tonnes—must have been loaded to capacity. A bystander who was present at the time said he was covered in coal when the runaway truck smashed into the border gate, overturning in the process.
“It’s by the grace of God that I’m still alive,” he said.
The truck crashed into four South African Revenue Service vehicles, one SA National Defence Force bakkie, and ten stationary cars, many of which are damaged beyond repair.
That the tip-truck driver, a customs official and tourism operator escaped with their lives, hospitalised as they are in Mbabane, is a miracle of sorts.
BMA commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said: “Port infrastructure was affected whereby two guard houses and an inspection shelter were severely damaged.
"As a precautionary measure, all operations at Oshoek Port of Entry have been temporarily suspended to allow for investigations by SAPS and collection of evidence and photographs from the scene.
“Pending the safety assessments by disaster management teams, the operations at the port will continue to be suspended until the necessary clearance has been issued to ensure the safety of all stakeholders.”
Until the border reopens, travellers are requested to use the alternate transits of Nerston and Mahamba, south of Oshoek, and Jeppes Reef to the north.
Fitzmaurice said it was regrettable that cross-border transporters travelling towards Maputo through Eswatini had now lost the Oshoek alternative to Lebombo and Ressano Garcia.
Because of recurring delays on the N4 Corridor to the port, the latter two transits are frequently avoided by ore carriers heading to the Matola Bulk Terminal in Maputo.
The southern route via Oshoek and Lomahasha on Eswatini’s northeastern boundary with Mozambique has become a popular bypass for tipper traffic, unfortunately also increasing the risk that comes with speeding trucks.
