Truck drivers crossing from South Africa into Botswana via the Kopfontein Border Post face an average wait time of four days, with no emergency amenities, according to industry executives.
The backlog on the R49 follows the flooding of the Groblersbrug Border Post over three weeks ago, forcing cargo carriers—many en route to the Copperbelt—to reroute through Kopfontein.
Mike Fitzmaurice, regional vice president of the African Union’s Organisation for Transport and Logistics, criticized the lack of support for drivers, calling the situation “inhumane and unacceptable.”
“We’ve seen this happen many times before—drivers left stranded without access to water, food, or portable ablution facilities,” he said.
The delays affect both long-haul and short-leg logistics into Botswana’s capital, Gaborone. Stephen Segal, divisional director of clearing and forwarding at Value Logistics, reported that cargo heading to Gaborone is four days behind schedule.
“Our drivers are stuck in a queue that sometimes stretches 10 kilometers. It takes about four days on average to get through,” he said.
A video captured by a driver shows an endless line of trucks parked on the roadside while cars speed past. The driver, who arrived at 3 a.m., stated he still had a “long, long way to go.”
While officials claim repairs at Groblersbrug are underway and the border is expected to reopen soon, industry players remain skeptical.
“We often receive assurances, only to face further delays,” said a fuel tanker operator supplying copper mines in the DRC.
Alternatives such as rerouting through Zimbabwe are impractical due to high border charges, slow refund processes for in-transit cargo, poor road conditions, and multiple security checkpoints.
Segal noted that the cost of these extensive delays is still being calculated, but companies are absorbing the financial burden rather than passing it on to clients.
Meanwhile, the Border Management Authority has not provided any response regarding measures to alleviate the situation for stranded drivers.
