The Department of Transport (DOT) has gazetted a proposal for a new toll plaza in the North of the country. The proposal is currently open for public comment until next month, Friday 19 September 2025.
As such, the proposed new toll plaza will be right on the doorstep of South Africa’s busiest neighbour. The new toll plaza, at the Beitbridge Border Post with Zimbabwe, was recommended by roads agency SANRAL in terms of the National Roads Acts.
SA’S NEW TOLL PLAZA
If the new toll plaza goes ahead, a stretch of 1.1 km of N1 adjoining the Northern border will be tolled, reports BusinessTech. SANRAL explains that a portion of the N1 was declared within its national road portfolio back in 2018. Since then, a R4-billion refurbishment project has taken place at the border post. These centered on improving traffic flows and tightening security measures at the crossing.
Various additional roads, parking areas and buildings on the South African side of the Beitbridge Border Post fall under the remit. Consequently, thousands of individuals and trucks heading North have no other option but to travel through the Limpopo Province and Musina Municipal District. In turn, this makes it the busiest crossing from South Africa daily, and everyone will have to go through the new toll plaza.
AFRICA’S ECONOMIC HEARTLAND
The Beitbridge border post mainly serves South African and Zimbabwean travellers. However, it also facilitates trade further afield – with Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and other SADC Member States. And according to SADC, improvements along the route have already yielded results.
The upgrades have improved traffic flows, reduced congestion and bolstered security. The route is now operational 24/7 and oversees as many as 300 trucks passing through each day. Prior to upgrades, freight companies could wait anywhere up to one week in queues to cross the border. With improved traffic flows, there is now an opportunity for South Africa to benefit financially.
NO LONGER ONLY ZIMBABWEAN TOLLS
Currently, SANRAL says that Southbound traffic is only tolled by Zimbabwean Authorities on their side of the border post. However, the new toll plaza will collect on the South African side within the South African Border Post Area. “Toll will be collected at a best-suited location, taking into consideration all the border post activities that are currently taking place,” concludes SANRAL.
Earlier this year, tolls fees along the N1 ‘Platinum Highway’ were increased by an inflation-linked 4.8% for all ‘class 1’ passenger vehicles. Tolls now add up to R197 for the entire Limpopo route:
- N1 Stormvoel – R12.00
- N1 Zambesi – R14.00
- N1 N1 Pumulani – R15.50
- N1 Wallmansthal – R7.00
- N1 Murrayhill – R14.00
- N1 Hammanskraal – R33.00
- N1 Carousel – R71.00
- N1 Maubane – R30.50
WILL NORTHERLY COMMUTERS BE ABLE TO AFFORD ANOTHER TOLL?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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