The movement of travellers and cargo through the Beitbridge Port of Entry resumed on Monday night following a temporary suspension earlier in the day.
Authorities had halted traffic between South Africa and Zimbabwe as a precaution after a liquefied petroleum (LP) gas tanker became dislodged and stuck at the Shell service station, posing a serious explosion risk.
The incident occurred shortly after midday, approximately 800 metres from the South African side of the border. As a result, traffic was suspended on both sides to ensure public safety.
Earlier on Monday, Memory Ndou, the South African Revenue Service’s lead representative at Beitbridge, confirmed that all border operations had been temporarily suspended as a safety precaution. She said:
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.
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.
Efforts to remove the tanker were set to continue on Tuesday morning, with technical teams having secured the area and ruled out any immediate danger.
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