Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The movement of travellers and cargo into South Africa and Zimbabwe through the Beitbridge Port of Entry (PoE) resumed on Monday night after border officials managed to contain a potential danger posed by a gas tank that fell off and got stuck at a service station nearly some 800 metres near South Africa’s side of the border.
Authorities had temporarily halted the movement of traffic into either country through the Beitbridge port of entry as a precautionary measure, after an LP gas tanker was left at the Shell service station, thereby posing an explosion hazard.
The incident occurred around midday and traffic had to be blocked on both side of the border.
Emergency teams have been deployed to the scene and are working on transferring the gas to another tanker.
Work on moving the tanker is expected to continue this morning and technical workers have ruled out any potential danger after securing the area.
In a notice to inter-border agencies and stakeholders, South Africa Revenue Services lead person at Beitbridge, Ms Memory Ndou said as a precautionary measure, all operations at the border post have been temporarily suspended.
The team is clearing trucks from the gate, and officials have been evacuated to ensure their safety.
Truck drivers have been advised to return to designated truck parking areas.
“There is currently a stranded LP Gas tanker at the Shell garage, thereby posing a potential explosion hazard. Emergency teams have been deployed and are preparing to transfer the gas safely to another tanker,” said the official.
“Please be advised that the gas transfer process has been temporarily halted due to a mechanical breakdown of the tanker truck. Operations are scheduled to resume Tuesday morning once the issue of the truck has been resolved. Time will be confirmed. In the meantime, cargo operations will recommence at 17:30 today (yesterday). We will keep you informed of further developments”.
The temporary closure of the PoE caused delays for travellers and truck drivers, and these were advised to plan accordingly and consider alternative routes or wait for further updates.
This is the second time operations at the border have to be suspended due to gas-related incidents.
In May last year a gas leak at the Beitbridge Border Post (Zimbabwe side) light vehicles and pedestrians’ terminal forced authorities to evacuate the building and re-route traffic to the bus terminal.
However, this was swiftly resolved.
At least 1000 cargo trucks, 200 buses, 2000 light vehicles and 15 000 travellers use the border post daily during off-peak periods and the number increases three fold at peak.