MBABANE – Weeks of relentless torrential rains across Southern Africa have severely disrupted interstate transport, forcing operators to abandon key routes and rely on longer alternatives as flooding continues to cripple regional infrastructure.
The prolonged rainfall has triggered widespread flooding, extensive damage to roads and rail networks, and loss of life across the region. Eswatini, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe have all been affected, with Mozambique emerging as the worst hit, followed by South Africa and Zimbabwe, as rising waters cut off major transport corridors and paralyse critical services.
According to the Secretary General of the Eswatini Interstate Transport Association, Moses Mkhabela, routes to Mozambique have been the most severely affected.
“With routes to South Africa, there are rains, but they are not as bad. Some passengers are uncomfortable travelling in rainy conditions, but the roads remain usable,” Mkhabela said.
Interstate kombis continue to operate to South African destinations such as Mpumalanga, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, with major roads remaining largely intact. However, Mkhabela said feeder roads have become increasingly dangerous, forcing drivers to reduce speed due to slippery conditions.
He added that the Bowane route to Maputo has become hazardous after boreholes previously visible at surface level were submerged. Drivers are now using alternative routes near the Mhlumeni–Lomahhasha traffic circle to avoid flooded sections, although the detours are significantly longer.
Despite this, Mkhabela said interstate transport services to Mozambique remain available.
An interstate kombi owner, speaking anonymously, said many operators were avoiding Mozambican routes altogether due to waterlogged roads and unsafe driving conditions.
“Most operators are no longer willing to take the risk of travelling to Mozambique because the flooding is extensive and dangerous,” he said.
Mozambique’s transport crisis has been compounded by the suspension of railway services on the Ressano Garcia and Goba lines linking Maputo to South Africa and Eswatini. The Mozambique Railways Company cited landslides, soil erosion and floodwaters overtopping rail infrastructure.
The Mozambican government estimates that more than 3 000 kilometres of roads have been damaged, with over 173 000 people affected and at least 103 deaths recorded. South Africa has reported up to 35 fatalities, while Zimbabwe has recorded around 70 deaths, underscoring the growing regional humanitarian and infrastructural toll.
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