Travel to Moz over Easter

[Eddie Moz]

Hi Guys. Some info that I just received.

[font=]MCLI [/font][font=]Newsflash 1218 of 25 March 2013
  Lebombo / Ressano Garcia Border Crossing Information Over the Easter Period[/font][font=]FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT[/font][font=]http://www.mcli.co.za/[/font]

[/c][/t] [/t][/t] [font=]PLEASE      TAKE TIME TO READ THIS IMPORTANT NEWSFLASH IF YOU ARE CROSSING THE BORDER      AT LEBOMBO/RESSANO GARCIA DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAY PERIOD AS IT CONTAINS      ESSENTIAL INFORMATION WHICH WILL MAKE YOUR TRAVELS EASIER[/font] It is a      pleasure for MCLI to inform our readers that the Lebombo / Ressano Garcia Border Posts will be      operating 24 hours from today 25 March 2013 up to 14 April 2013.Please      note that this period carries the highest volume of holiday, business and      tourist travel and due to the volumes, limitations of infrastructure and      human resources, queues and congestion are expected over the peak days, so      travellers are requested to be patient, and to prepare for this      eventuality.The      expected Peak Periods are as follows: Estimated Peak        Periods [/t] [/t]Dates:Travellers:Flow of Traffic:27-29        Mar 2013Miners,        Travellers and Commercial CargoRSA        to MOZ31        Mar - 02 Apr 2013Miners,        Travellers and Commercial CargoMOZ        to RSAThe      massive traffic flow over the peak periods is expected to affect the      followings Ports of Entry: Lebombo PoE Oshoek PoE Mahamba PoE Mananga PoE Jeppes Reef PoE Border Post        Operating Hours [/t]Port of Entry (POE)Extended Operating HoursPeriodLebombo        POE24        hours (Passengers)         06h00 – 22h00 (Commercial)25        Mar 2013 -14 Apr 2013Oshoek        POE06h00        - 24h00NormalMahamba        POE07h00        - 22h00NormalMananga        POE07h00        – 18h00NormalJeppes        Reef POE07h00        – 20h00NormalNote: We were unable to      confirm whether the operational times of the Swaziland Border Posts with      South Africa and Mozambique are also going to be extended for the Easter      period and therefore we published their normal operating times..Please      take note that Normal Border Post operating times are in effect except for      the extended hours as per the periods stipulated above.We      would like to advise all our readers who will be travelling between South      Africa and Mozambique to plan their trips carefully to avoid the long      queues.Please      take note that to avoid the huge congestion and delays that occurred over      the December period, there will be control points set up along the N4 from      Marloth Park to the Border Post. The purpose of these control points will      be to divert the traffic to ease the congestion on the N4 in the lead up to      the Border Post, these control points will be as follows:N4      Traffic Control Plan from Marloth Park to the Border Post Traffic Control Point 1 - Marloth Park (approx. 20.5km           from the main PoE) A regulatory road block will be formed at this            control point All movements of vehicles on the N4 will be            controlled from this point in conjunction with operations at the            processing centres. Traffic Control Point 2 & 2A - Coopersdal           Turnoff All of taxis, buses and trucks will be diverted            into Coopersdal Road from this point. At point 2A (Strydom/Tonga intersection) traffic            will be controlled as per mode of transport and destination (all            taxis, buses and trucks diverted onto this route destined for Lebombo            will be directed to Strydom Block Road. Other modes of transport            destined elsewhere will be allowed to proceed to Tonga) Traffic Control Point 3 - Tenbosch Turnoff All vehicles that are destined for Komatipoort            will be diverted on Tenbosch Road. No taxis or buses will be allowed to use this            route as an alternative to reach Lebombo. Traffic Control Point 4 - Strydom Block Turnoff All diverted traffic from Coopersdal Road will            enter the N4 to KM7 through this turnoff. In case of any congestion, emergency vehicles and            inbound traffic will be diverted into Strydom Block from the N4. No outbound taxis or buses will be allowed to            divert onto this road. Traffic Control Point 5 - Entrance from the N4 into           KM7 Facility (Sector B1) Only trucks, buses and taxis to be diverted into            KM7 from the N4. Taxis should be kept on the left lane and the            right lane for buses and trucks. Traffic Control Point 6 - Vehicle entrance to taxi           route (Sector B2) All taxis to be diverted onto this route. No other type of vehicles is to be diverted onto            this route. Traffic Control Point 7 - Sasol/Komatipoort           Intersection (Sector C) No taxis and buses from the convoy should be            allowed to divert into Komatipoort / Sasol intersection. All traffic entering the N4 from these            intersections should be controlled. Traffic Control Point 8 - Mananga Turnoff (Sector           D) All traffic turning onto the N4 should be            regulated. Traffic Control Point 9 - Low Water Bridge Only private vehicles to and from the N4 will be            allowed to turn in and out of this turnoff. No taxis will be allowed to enter or exit this            turnoff from / onto the N4. Traffic Control Point 10 - BP Garage Turnoff           (Sector E) No taxis or busesin the convoy will be allowed to            divert into BP. Movement from this sector into N4 to be            controlled. A regulatory road block to be formed at this point            to control the traffic between the port and BP. Traffic should not be allowed to congest from this            control point to the port. Monitoring and patrolling of the truck lane to            keep it clear will also be done from this point. Traffic Control Point 11 - Control Gate at the           Koppie (Sector G1) A regulatory road block to be formed at this point            to control the traffic between the 3 way stop and the koppie. Vehicles entering the port should be regulated            from this point. The space between the koppie and the 3 way stop            should be kept clear. Monitoring and patrolling of the truck lane to            keep it clear will also be done from this point. Issuing of gate passes will also be done here. Traffic Control Point 12 - 3 way stop / main PoE           (Sector G2) Direction of vehicles to different sectors inside            the port will be conducted from this point. Issuing of gate passes will also be done here. Blocking of inbound traffic will be done from this            point when the need arises. [/size]Clearance of Travellers[/b][/font]People      travelling in trucks, buses and taxis will be cleared at the Komatipoort      Commercial Clearing Facility (7km before the main Port of Entry). It is      signposted as the Lebombo Border Dry Port.             Private travellers will be cleared at the main PoE.             Please note that the new Pedestrian Clearing Facility is now open at the      main PoE and this facility will now clear all the pedestrians that enter      the main PoE.Other      Ports of Entry will clear people at their main and outside the buildings      where applicable.[/size]Fiscal Allowances and      Exemption to Travellers[/b][/font]*      Duty Free Allowances: Sporting and Recreational Equipment (International           Visitors) Up to 2 litres of wine (not for minors) Up to 1 litre of spirits (not for minors) Up to 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars & 250g tobacco           (not for minors) Up to 50ml perfumery & 250ml eau de toilette ** Up to R5000.00 worth of new or used goods * Goods      in excess of these quantities should be declared       ** R25000.00 if arriving from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia or Swaziland.Prohibited      Goods: Habit Forming Drugs Military Weapons Explosives & Fireworks Poisons Cigarettes weighing more than 2KG per 1000 Counterfeit Goods Restricted      Goods: Firearms SA Banknotes of more than R25000.00 Gold Coins, Stamps & Unprocessed Gold Animals & their Products Plants & their Products Certain types of Medicines Goods not for Personal Use [/size]Port of Entry Requirements      (RSA side)[/b][/font] No individual is allowed to import or export           firearm(s) without a permit All South African registered vehicles to be taken           to Mozambique or Swaziland should have the following documentation: Vehicle Registration            Documents,            Where the vehicle is financed by the bank, SAPS            and SARS Customs will require            a letter from the financial institution/bank authorising the driver to take the vehicle out of            the country, Where the vehicle is owned by a company, SAPS and            SARS Customs will require a letter on the company letterhead            authorising the driver to take the vehicle out of the country. This            should include the vehicle insurance Emergency passports are issued at Home Affairs           offices in various towns/cities. No person including children will be           allowed through the port of entry without a valid passport (at least           one page of the passport should be unused) – Department of Home           Affairs (DHA). Foreigners entering South Africa should have a           passport valid for 30 days after the expiry of the period of the           visit. – DHA. Travellers arriving in South Africa will need to           complete a Traveller Card if they have something to declare (this will           replace the DA331 form.) Drivers of vehicles from non-South African           Customs Union (SACU) countries should also complete the Traveller Card. Only original Traveller Cards will be accepted and           these will be made available at the arrival and departure points at           the border post. Travellers should ensure that they declare all           goods in their possession with all necessary documentation such as invoices           or proof of purchase. All imported second-hand clothing entering the           country needs to be accompanied by a permit from DTI (Department of           Trade & Industry) – SARS Customs. All valuable items such as motorbikes, cameras and           laptops are to be declared at Customs – SARS Customs. These items           should also be securely stored. If you are bringing valuable goods into the country           on a temporary basis (temporary imports), you should also declare           those goods on a Travellers Card. A Temporary Importation Permit           (called a TIP) will be issued and you may have to pay a provisional           deposit, which you will get back if you leave the country with your           goods within 6 months. If you are leaving the country temporarily with           valuable goods, you may also apply for a Temporary Export Permit on a           Traveller Card. No agricultural and animal products including live           animals even for personal consumption are allowed to enter the country           (RSA) without a permit. Such goods will be detained if permits are not           available – Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). All corpses (bodies of deceased persons) need a           permit to enter or exit the country – Mpumalanga Department of Health           & Social Services – (MDOH & SS) Note: It is advisable, in           special circumstances, to notify the relevant departments at the           border post of your arrival time and date in advance so that your           crossing will be much easier. Travellers going abroad or coming into the country           are only allowed to bring medicine which will last for 30 days if they           are in possession of the doctor’s prescription – MDOH & SS. People travelling to and from yellow fever           countries (e.g. Angola, Congo, Nigeria, etc) must be in possession of           a yellow fever certificate – MDOH & SS (INNOCULATION) All RSA permit holders (work or study) are no           longer allowed to claim a VAT refund when they export goods. They can           only claim on expiry of their permit within 90 days period before           their final departure from RSA – VAT Refund Administrators (VRA) [/size]Port of Entry Requirement      (Mozambique side)[/b][/font] Revenue or fees to be paid at Ressano-Garcia POE           (Mozambique side) when entering. Customs Fees: Goods entering Mozambique are liable for duties /            taxes depending on the quantity and quality thereof Third Party Insurance (Can be purchased at the Ressano Garcia Border           Post): Motorbike R80.00, Vehicle R150.00, Vehicle pulling a trailer or caravan R230.00, Trucks or any vehicle carrying commercial goods            R200.00 and Trucks or any vehicle pulling a trailer carrying            commercial goods R300. Currency: Rands and Meticals are accepted for payment of the            above services. [/size]Port of Entry Requirement      (Swaziland side)[/b][/font] Customs charges a road tax on all non-Swaziland registered vehicles entering           Swaziland as follows: Vehicles (non-commercial) R50, Trucks and other commercial vehicles R80 Currency: Rands or Emalangeni are accepted for payment at            Swaziland Ports of Entry It      should further be noted that Mpumalanga Ports of Entry including those of      neighbouring countries do not have credit card facilities (card swiping      machines).[/size]MCLI requests that all      stakeholders take note of the following: A valid Driver’s license is required (All SADC           issued and International Driver’s licenses are accepted) Third Party Insurance for Mozambique is required. Your original vehicle registration papers if you           own the vehicle or if the vehicle is still financed by the bank, you           will require a letter from your bank granting you permission to take           the vehicle across the border. A blue and yellow triangle sticker in the front of           the vehicle if you are towing any type of trailer. Travellers to Mozambique are required by law to           carry a ZA sticker, reflective vest and two red emergency triangles. Keep your passport on you at all times No animals or pets whatsoever are permitted to be           carried across the border. Transport and Passenger operators from South Africa           who are moving across the border are required to have permits issued           by the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA). Call the CBRTA on           +27-(0)-348-1357 and for any complaints or tip-offs relating to           corruption, call 0800-000-594. [/size]PLEASE WORK WITH MCLI AND ITS STAKEHOLDERS TO STAMP OUT      CORRUPTION AT OUR BORDER POST! CORRUPTION COSTS YOU MONEY AND TIME AND      SEVERELY COMPROMISES THE POOR AND THE ABILITY OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT      BENEFITS TO BE PASSED ON TO OUR REGION![/b][/font] There are many individuals working on both sides of           the border who are passing themselves off as government officials and           who offer to complete documentation on behalf of travellers for a fee.           [font=]These individuals           are fraudsters and should be avoided categorically[/font]. Please also note that no fees are payable on           either side of the border for the completion of documents. If you are           unsure please ask for official identification and an official           government receipt. Please also do not use the runners at the border           post who offer to speed your thoroughfare and jump the immigration           queues for a fee. [font=]This makes you party to fraud and corruption and undermines           the efforts of MCLI and the relevant government departments to stamp           out corruption and provide an effective service[/font]. Important for drivers at all times to carry their           driver’s licence, proof of insurance and vehicle documents for           bringing their vehicles back into SA. It is advisable (not a requirement) to obtain an           international driver’s licence for travel across the border, whether           to Mozambique or to South Africa. These are available from the AA and           most travel agents. Third party insurance for South African vehicles           crossing the border is compulsory and can be obtained from various           outlets at the border and at Komatipoort, agents at the Lebombo Border           Dry Port, as well as the BP garage on the N4 1km before the Lebombo           Border Post. These service providers will also assist with necessary           documentation for your trip across the border. In the event of an           accident involving a third party the first line of call is the           insurance company. Night-time travellers should be aware of           pedestrians and stray animals on the road. Officials at both Ports of Entry, i.e. Lebombo and           Ressano Garcia, have requested that travellers do not use their           parking spot at the border post as a point to take a refreshment break,           as this contributes to the congestion of the facility. It is           recommended that you stop for refreshment breaks before or after the           Port of Entry. Alternatively, tourists may want to travel to           Mozambique via Swaziland through the Jeppes Reef Border post (From the           N4 just after Malelane) or the Mananga Border post (from the N4 just           after Komatipoort), crossing into Mozambique through the Lomahasha           Border Post. [/size]PLEASE ALSO NOTE THE FOLLOWING      IMPORTANT INFORMATION:Should      travellers encounter difficulties with traffic police or other authorities      en route to their destinations, particularly if these officers are      attempting to illicit bribes or are threatening, you are advised to do the      following: Be as cooperative as possible Insist on a written or officially printed fine Don’t pay the fine to the police officer, but take           it to the nearest police station for payment and get an official           receipt; stamped if possible. If the police/traffic officers request a bribe,           ensure that you take the name of the officer, his badge number, if           there is a vehicle there take down the registration number and ensure           that the location and time of the road block / traffic stop is noted.           Without this information there can be no recourse. Do not pay the bribe! If in Mozambique, report this to the SA High           Commission or pass it on to MCLI to take up. If police insist on           escorting you to the nearest police station (the escort may often not           be the closest police station), or if you are unsure of the legitimacy           of the charge, call the SA High Commission in Maputo for advice or           assistance on +258 21 49 0059/3030 or their after-hours duty officer           on +258 84 304 4600. If in South Africa, the same principles apply and           incidents should be reported to the Mpumalanga Traffic Department on           their hotline 0800 202 775 TRAC Help Desk (N4 and EN4 Only) - If you are           involved in an accident, have a flat tyre, overheated engine or           smashed windscreen, dial for assistance from the TRAC rescue team           nearest to you. The IOM’s Southern African Counter-Trafficking           Assistance Programme (SACTAP): Mozambique Regional Office: +258-21-310-779 South Africa Regional Office: +27-(0)12-342-2789 Swaziland Regional Office: +263-4-335-044/048 [/size]Blow the whistle on border      corruption The BCOCC is committed to the preventing, detecting,      investigating and successfully prosecuting of all cases of corruption. All      services offered by government officials at our Ports of Entry are free of      charge. Where payment is required please ensure that you receive an official      receipt for any monies you have paid to staff. [/size]Please take note of the      following Important Contact Information: South Africa        Anti-Corruption and Emergency Numbers [/t]Institution:Contact Number:CBRTA        Vuvuzela Hotline0800        000 594Human        Trafficking0800        737 283Mpumalanga        Traffic Department0800        202 775National        Intelligence Agency (NIA)012        427 4903Presidential        Hotline17737Department        of Home Affairs0800-701-701Department        of Health0800-701-701Department        of Agriculture Forestry & Fisheries0800-701-701South        Africa Revenue Services (CUSTOMS)0800        002 870South        African High Commission in Maputo+258        21 49 0059/3030 or         +258 84 304 4600South        African Police Services(SAPS)0860        010 111TRAC        Help Desk (N4 Only)0800        872 264 or         (+27) 82 881 4444 Mozambique        Anti-Corruption and Emergency Numbers [/t]Institution:Contact Number:Mozambique        Customs Green Line800        000 800Mozambique        Police Green Line84        800 22 22 or         800 22 22 22Mozambique        Tourism Bureau Complaints(+258)        21 313 772 or         (+258) 21 308 584TRAC        Help Desk (EN4 Only)(+258)        84 343 4346 or         (+258) 82 303 4303Vodacom        Emergency Number84        800 22 22

[Toppie]

Thanks Eddie Moz, good information for anybody wishing to visit Mozambique.

[Eddie Moz]

They do not mention Ponta, Goba or Namaacha. I presume these points will open and close on the normal times.