The congestion follows people traveling for festive season holidays and a decision by South African authorities to conduct testing COVID-19 at the border to people entering or leaving the country.

Previously, travelers were crossing the border upon production of COVID-19 negative certificate which is no longer the case now.

Hundreds of trucks, buses, taxis and traveling cars are stuck in an estimated 20 kilometer queue for over a week now on the South Africa and Zimbabwe side.

Spokesperson of Truck Drivers Association of Malawi, Paul Kachitsa, has raised welfare concerns for members of the Association, most of whom have run out of upkeep money.

“We are staying at the border for more days than planned. We need food and other necessities to survive. Employers should consider additional money for their drivers because life is tough,” he said.

At least eight people are reported to have died while waiting to cross over the border post.

Meanwhile, South Africa media reports indicate that traffic congestion at the border post has been cleared.