The management of the Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest wildlife reserve, together with local businesses, have expressed opposition to plans to create a new border crossing operated exclusively by trucks, aimed at speeding up mineral exports to Mozambique’s ports.
The project, proposed by Logistics Co., a subsidiary of African Infrastructure Investment Managers of Old Mutual Ltd., aims to open a new route at Komatipoort to Maputo, situated on the south-eastern edge of the Kruger National Park.
Concerns center on the potential negative impacts on the environment, biodiversity and the protected area of the Kruger National Park, as highlighted by Isaac Phaahla, spokesperson for the reserve.
Although the proposed new border post could relieve pressure on the existing crossing by avoiding congestion caused by trucks transporting ores such as iron, chromium and coal, environmental and conservation concerns remain.
Logistics Co. plans to mitigate the negative impacts, including the creation of a parking area with immigration and customs facilities on the outskirts of Komatipoort. However, opposition persists.
