Barbara Creecy outlines plans to modernise cross-border freight movement through digital systems at Lebombo Port of Entry
The South African Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, recently visited the Ressano Garcia/Lebombo Port of Entry as part of ongoing efforts to find a lasting solution to congestion challenges affecting the movement of freight across the border into Mozambique.
South Africa and Mozambique have been working together to improve traffic flow and enhance cross-border operations. The visit follows a previous engagement in December 2025, where both countries assessed developments at Kilometre 4 in Mozambique and Kilometre 7 on the South African side.
To date, TRAC (Trans African Concessions) has upgraded the Kilometre 7 facility and installed monitoring cameras along the corridor to improve oversight. In an interview with the media, Creecy noted that, as the central processing hub, Kilometre 7 will incorporate immigration, customs, and joint cargo processing.
She added that one of the key priorities is to digitise the system, not only to reduce waiting times but also to improve overall efficiency.
“By this time next year, we hope to have fully digitised the system on both sides of the border. The aim ultimately is that the driver does not have to get out of his truck. So he will arrive, and the truck will go through a series of scanners. One scan will be for safety purposes, weigbridge, license and physical verification of the driver, and all of these processes, including customers, are in order. The driver will just drive through this border with seals on the cargo. That will be inspected on both sides to make sure the seals haven’t been broken,” Creecy said.
The digitisation of the Lebombo Port of Entry is expected to boost economic activity by improving the efficiency of imports and exports between South Africa and Mozambique. It will also facilitate the movement of mining products destined for export through the Port of Maputo.