Planned toll plaza set for one of South Africa’s busiest routes

The Department of Transport has proposed building a new toll plaza at the Beitbridge Border Post, South Africa’s busiest land crossing into Zimbabwe.

The public can comment on the plan until 19 September 2025. The project is part of a long-term infrastructure upgrade aimed at improving traffic management and boosting revenue collection along the vital N1 trade corridor.

Acting under the SANRAL and National Roads Acts, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) recommended the toll plaza after reclassifying sections of the N1 as national roads in 2018.

The 1.1-kilometre stretch now eligible for tolling lies entirely within the South African side of the Beitbridge International Border Post, located in Limpopo’s Musina Municipality.

A Strategic Trade Route

The Beitbridge crossing links South Africa to Zimbabwe and serves as a crucial transit hub for trade with Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and other SADC nations.

The route supports the movement of thousands of individuals and over 300 freight trucks daily, facilitating billions of rands worth of regional trade.

Background and Tolling Proposal

The Department of Transport proposed the toll plaza after launching a R4 billion upgrade project in 2018 to improve border infrastructure, cut waiting times, and boost efficiency.

Before the upgrades, freight operators faced delays of five to seven days at the crossing.

Since completion, the post has run 24/7 with much smoother traffic flows.

At present, Zimbabwean authorities collect toll fees for southbound traffic, but under the new plan, South Africa would start collecting tolls on its side of the border.

Public Participation Invited

The Department of Transport is now inviting written submissions and public comment on the proposed tolling plan.

Interested parties have until 19 September 2025 to make submissions.

The development is expected to stir debate, particularly around pricing, efficiency, and the potential economic impact on cross-border trade and travel.