More than 100 trucks are marooned at Kazungula border post on the Zambian side waiting to be cleared and cross into Botswana.
The trucks are marooned because big pontoon, which was reliable, stopped working yesterday due to engine problems.
The other big pontoon has been non-operational for two months now.
Only the small passenger pontoon, which only carries small vehicles and light trucks, operating at the moment.
This has angered truck drivers whose vehicles have been marooned at Kazungula border post for many days.
The drivers are angered because they have allegedly not seen progress towards repairing the big pontoon which broke down two months ago and are losing fuel through thefts since they have been stationary for too long.
The situation worsened yesterday after the other big pontoon broke down forcing the truck drivers to demand an explanation from Engineering Services Corporation (ESCO) management on the situation.
Today, the truck drivers ran amok blocking the three kilometer stretch road from the T-junction of Livingstone-Sesheke road to the border post in protest against ESCO management’s alleged failure to work on the big pontoons.
This means that vehicles on transit cannot pass on either way forcing some tax drivers to create routes in the bush for them to reach the border.
Concerned citizens have since called on authorities to immediately address the situation at the border post.
They said truck drivers have the right to protest because they face a lot of difficulties while waiting to be cleared at the border.
Truck drivers are accusing ESCO management of failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to why the pontoons are not working.
When contacted for a comment, ESCO manager Daniel Mutapo’s phone was not reachable.
Meanwhile, Kazungula District Commissioner, Albert Chifita, confirmed the development but decline to comment further referring all queries to Southern Province Minister, Elijah Muchima.
ZANIS
sale two mobile hospitals and buy a new modern pontoon
No, we now have a credit rating, making it easier for us to borrow. Borrow money and build a bridge. Zimbabwe and Botswana have to contribute off course….
A bridge is already on the plans. Zambia and Botswana will bear the cost as Zimbabwe is not interested. Construction will start soon with German company
With all the enthusiasm for investment going around in the country, this is the opportunity for our policy makers in the government to address the crucial situation and see that bridges are built instead of relying on pontoons.
This sleepy rb govt cannot be trusted to don anything.
What is initative .Pontoon in this era.With cheap labour and resources from chinese ,comeon Bwezani Banda.
what happened to the private partnership project for the bridge that mwanawasa highly spoke about . WHAT CHEAP POLITICS
I thought by now there was a bridge on this site. In this era sure people should be struggling with pontoons and what rote. This is s.illy to say the least. I feel for these stranded drivers. Someone should be fired or put ablaze for this. These s.tupid politicians just yap and no action. Build the bridge there and we shall be home and dry agalu inu.
Construct a modern magnificient bridge.Where are our unza & cbu engineers?Pontoon in this era mwebantu
WHAT A SHAME A lot of money is generated at from pontoon ,carbon tax and Visa charges.Where does the money end.Look at our pontoons,that’s another a disaster waiting to happen.The offices at the Border post look ancient yet across the border in Botswana and Zimbabwe the offices are well maintained.It takes you about 15 -20 minutes to clear your vehicle on the Botswana side while on the Zambian side you need a minimum of 2 hrs.Its business as usual,no one cares.ZAMBIANS PLEASE WAKE UP !Do they deserve our votes in this years elections,NO!
You see hear RB blaming PF council and not MMD Provincial Minister or Minister of Works.
Iam sure Mr Micheal Sata will construct the bridge when he comes into power because he knew the problem at Kazungula when he was both in UNIP and MMD Governments but he was only waiting to be President. Even ubwato tukaposa we wont need it. Viva pabwatoooooo!!!!!!!!!!
You cant having pontoons especially at a borderpost in this day and age. You MMD thieves what happens to the money Zambia earns, the money we borrow, the money donors give us? Build an effing bridge!
We should have built a bridge at Kazungula before the one at Chembe. Economically, the benefits are more from that route than the DRC connected bridge.Â
I thought this building of the bridge has been delayed by the intransigence of the Zimbabweans refusing to recognise that Botswana has a border with Zambia at that point. There is suggestion to move it onto the Namibian side – on the end of the ‘Caprivi Lip’. This was reported like two three years ago. Not sure though what is taking it so long.
A serious govt knows very well that economic benefits will acrue from putting up bridges at such points and improving the road and railway networks. Apparently, our govt cannot see this. Just look at the state of our trade routes (roads), great north road for example. It is in such bad state, it is like we are in a war situation and the feeling is even if we repaired the road today, the enemy will bomb it tomorrow!!! Even worse are our township roads!! Let’s see abridge constructed at Kazungula as amatter of urgency, no one can tell me that there is no money!!
There is no need to build a Bridge at Kazungula. For those who dont know although this area is in Southern Province most of the villagers in this District speak Lozi. These primitive people should be left alone. They dont need a Bridge. It is better we build infrasctracture in more deserving parts of Zambia than waste our money on these people. Viva Sata! And half thanks to RB for putting Amaloshi in their place! Zambia will one day be free of vermin!
Strange that ESCO or whoever is in charge cannot fix the 2 ferries considering the huge somes they collect. Botswana has a neat one but never seen it working. Sure they know they have nothing to loose. The situation is bad and its on both sides the Zed en Bot side. Its loss of cash to the transporters as thats loss of business.