Land ports of entry
BEITBRIDGE
ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE
A total of 54 Land Ports of Entry regulate the flow of people and goods between South Africa and its neighbouring countries. Land Ports are microcosms of towns and rely on infrastructure and building services to function in the most remote areas. This includes:
- Roads, parking, traffic management, gates, fences and stormwater drainage
- Buildings with wet services, air conditioning, electricity and firefighting services
- Bulk water, drinking water purification, sewage collection and wastewater treatment
- Medium and low voltage electrical supply, site distribution and area lighting
- Diesel back-up power generation
Although the infrastructure is conventional, successful maintenance requires a unique approach.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
From 2004 to date, Virtual Consulting Engineers has developed a methodology for the repair, maintenance, operation and servicing of Land Ports of Entry. Our multidisciplinary approach is tailored to:
- Define infrastructure systems over its life cycle with specifications and contract conditions
- A contract with a minimum 36 month duration including repair and maintenance phases
- Remuneration based on performance score-cards for maintaining the required service level
- Payment reductions resulting from excessive breakdown time
- Special measures for facilities management, including cleaning, site keeping and handling of festive season peak traffic
Results have demonstrated value for money and an increased life expectancy of state infrastructure.
PROJECTS
North West Province / Botswana (2004 – 2020)
Department of Public Works
Bray, Makgobistad, Ramatlabama, Skilpadshek, Kopfontein, Swartkopfontein and Derdepoort are in semi-arid areas, which require careful management of ground water resources. Treatment requires removal of nitrate and disinfection. Since 2004 our services also included road rehabilitation, stormwater management, and renovations of administration and residential buildings.
Limpopo / Botswana (2004 – 2020)
Department of Public Works
Stockpoort, Groblersbridge, Pontdrift, Platjan and Zanzibar allow access over the Limpopo River to Botswana. Apart from these Land Ports, the works included repair and maintenance of residences and bulk infrastructure at border line military bases such as Rooibokkraal and Swartwater. Groundwater is brackish in these areas and requires special treatment with reverse osmosis.
Limpopo / Zimbabwe and Mozambique (2004 – 2016)
Department of Public Works
At Beitbridge, South Africa’s busiest Land Port, we have developed groundwater resources in the non-perennial Limpopo valley and supervised construction of a new 2Mℓ drinking water reservoir, new constructed wetlands for effluent polishing and security fencing. Pafuri Gate has been repaired following the damage of combined flooding of the Luvuvhu and Limpopo rivers.
Mpumalanga Lowveld / Mozambique and Eswatini (2004 – 2020)
Department of Public Works
Lebombo accommodates movement of approximately 4,740,000 travellers per annum with a total of 580 personnel working at the port. Labour intensive practices under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) have been implemented to a value of 20% of the contract amount. Jeppe’s Reef and Mananga, in the same area, give access to Eswatini.
Mpumalanga Highveld / Eswatini (2004 – 2016)
Department of Public Works
Josefsdal, Oshoek, Waverley, Nerston, Emahlathini, Bothashoop and Mahamba all provide access between the Mpumalanga Highveld and Eswatini. Our work included the upgrade of wastewater treatment plants and constructed reedbeds, replacement of diesel power generators for back-up electricity, site electrical infrastructure and extensive repair and renovation of residences and office buildings.
KwaZulu-Natal / Eswatini and Mozambique (2004 – 2018)
Department of Public Works
Onverwacht and Golela provide access to Eswatini from KwaZulu-Natal, while Kosi Bay Port links South Africa with Mozambique. The scope of work has included new water purification works, significant repair works to the truck routes, parking areas and road rehabilitation and replacement of gates and fences.