Pafuri - Sango issues

[Eben Henning]

I read on Drive Zim one party had a horror experience at both borders and enroute by officials and local kids.

Anyone have some background on this or had similar issues?

I have never had it that bad, just the odd bribe hint and a bit of digging for a beer.

EbenH

[Margot Donaldson]

We went through Sango in February 

Zim side first they sent 6 guys to look at our car - it was pretty intimidating but we did not give them anything.

The Moz side - it’s simple they are blatant and they will empty your car. We were one vehicle just the two of us and unbeknownst to me my greased a palm with R200.00 it’s not something that we normally do.

That’s our experience 

The got Rod who wrote on drive Zim runs a very upmarket lodge in Sa and I believe that his story is accurate without exaggeration.

Best regards 

Margot

Maabwe Bay Camp

Lake Kariba 

Phone no/Wattsapp 00263776977446

Or Netone line usually better 00263719478520

Email marg...@icloud.com

FB: Maabwe Bay

https://Tracks4Africa.co.za/listings/item/w255166/maabwe-bay-campsite/.

On 15 Aug 2024, at 16:25, Eben Henning <cust...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Mike Slater]

This was my response to the DriveZim Pafuri and Sango border post:  

"A rough day. Sorry you had to endure this. Having used the Pafuri and Chicualacuala border posts 2 or 3 times a year for the past 20 (or so) years (most recently a month ago) without much to write home about, I am scratching my head regarding why some folk seem to be targeted. Certainly, with Gonarezhou recently becoming so popular with those of us needing that ticked off the list, perhaps the numbers and sorts of tourist using Pafuri and Sango have changed. Up until a couple of years ago, these borders were probably mainly used by folk such as myself who have many similar crossings notched up and (perhaps) simply don't come across as a worthwhile target for extortion, intimidation and bribery. I have never experienced these, just the usual references to "something for me", or perhaps "it's hot today..." which I ignore while pretending to be only too happy to unpack my vehicle. Never had to... More tourist traffic also statistically means perhaps a greater chance of bad incidents and more well-intentioned souls handing out sweets to kids or bribes to chancers. This feeds the beast, but I can imagine that sometimes this may seem to be the only way out of a nasty situation. Once again, at the end of September, I will be entering marvellous (based on dozens of visits) Mozambique with some fantastic folk, using Pafuri. I will report back. Whatever the case, bad news spreads like a wild fire fanned by a Black Southeaster, while goods news spreads like frozen butter using a bus ticket. Oh, and dismissing / insulting an entire country on the strength of a few terrible tales is like writing off Paris because someone you know got mugged on the Metro. Unreasonable and unfair."

"Alla fin del gioco tanto va nel sacco il Re quanto la pedina."

Best wishes
 
Mike Slater

Join me in amazing Mozambique: 
http://www.mozguide.com/

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[Eben Henning]

Thanks for the feedback.

I don't mind the odd hint or asking for 'something'.  I believe they all have it hard.

But what gets me is when officials abuse their positions and even worse, making this political with racial undertones.  That is not acceptable.

That one skewed opinion will cost tourism dearly, like Mike says, the whole country will now be tarred with that comment.

Unfair, and the industry leaders need to clamp down hard on this.

On the other side, that Pafuri / Sango route certainly gets used a lot these days and the sweeeeets and neg attitude comes from people racing through the villages kicking up storms of dust and the locals not gaining anything other than a mouth full of dust.

We've had the river crossing hang-on's and the tractor-toll guy at the river, even going 200m down stream to cross he shows up and demands his fare.

EbenH.

[Chris]

Hi

 

Did anybody experience the same at the Giriyonda Border post? Because we will be travelling form Mozambique trough the Limpopo National Park and cross into the Kruger Park.

 

Regards

Chris

 

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[Glen Roberts]

Hi Mike

I fully agree with what you say. I travel through Southern Africa often, Moz in particular 2 to 3 times a year. I have NEVER paid any bribes in Moz. Yes, there are the occasional hints at bribes. Our last entry through Nanaacha was trouble free (May 2024), but on the previous trip (November 2023), there was an official that looked at the packed vehicle, called me around the side, and said he needs to unpack everything and it will take a long time. My answer was simply, no problem, I am not in a rush, and I started taking my camping chair our to sit down. He then just showed me through.

I must add though, that apart from attitude, it also depends on what vehicle you drive. I visited Nam many times without incident, until I entered with a new Ford Ranger in 2015, just when they werevstarting to become popular. The change in attitude was immediately obvious, with the official at Noordoewer wanting to look through the vehicle. At a police check North of Windhoek the ssme attitude was obvious. The official asked how I was, and as usual I answered "Everythimg is fine". His response, "I'll be the judge of that" and then he wanted to fine me because I had goods in the back of the bakkie that "partially obstructed the view from the middle rear view mirror". I talked my way out of this.

I had a similar incidemt at the police check just after Namaacha in Moz 3 years back. I was drivimg my Hummer, and at the same check where I am usually just waved through, the official stopped me, opemed the passenger door, and started scratchimg in the cubbyhole, looking for a gun. Finding nothing, he then accused me of trying to smuggle fish (in an empty freezer!). Eventually, after I refused to "give him somethimg for his family", he let me  proceed. This incident was reported on DriveMoz, and for the rest of my 3 week trip I was simply waved through everywhere in Moz.

I mention this, as in the incident referred to in this thread, they were driving a new Ineos Grenadier.

Regards

Glen

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[Eben Henning]

Some good response from the local industry taking the matter to task.

Well done Dumela Safaris.

[Lizette Swart (T4A)]

Further to this topic, I just saw this (very positive!) post on FB: https://web.facebook.com/groups/DriveZim/posts/1905740693171786/ - in case you are not a member, I post the text below.

Update on Pafuri/Sango border crossing route: we came through from Gonerazhou into Kruger yesterday and encountered absolutely no issues at either border. Border officials were friendly and we just laughed off/ignored requests for food and drinks from one or two individuals ... it happens at every border crossing in Africa! The 2 kids/teens at the Limpopo river crossing did get on the bumper of the cruiser to show us the way, with more on the RSA side who had cut reeds to help get through the thick sand. We stopped and said hi. Gave them a couple of R2/5 coins as a thanks. They literally did flick flacks of happiness. A happy smile and friendliness goes a long way in these impoverished communities. Lizette