New Maputo suspension bridge does not connect Mozambique and South Africa
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Photos of a shiny new suspension bridge in Mozambique’s capital city of Maputo filled news and social media pages when it was officially opened in November 2018.
“The new bridge linking KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) with Mozambique,” tweeted Sihle Zikalala, KwaZulu-Natal province’s tourism head.
But the bridge actually connects two sides of the bay of Maputo, not South Africa and Mozambique.
Bongani Tembe, Zikalala’s spokesperson, confirmed that the Maputo-Katembe bridge itself was entirely located in Mozambique. He explained that the bridge was connected to the Kosi Bay border post into KwaZulu-Natal by a new “state-of-the-art” tarred road. Before it was constructed, only 4x4s and other off-road vehicles could navigate the sandy road.
The owner of the Utshwayelo Lodge in KwaZulu-Natal, Michael Whiteshield, told Africa Check he expected the upgraded road to be good for business, because it could now be used by people in regular cars.
The road had already brought more visitors from both South Africa and Mozambique to the White Pearl Resort in southern Mozambique, owner Amra Ehidi said. - Tshiamo Malatji (12/11/2018)
“The new bridge linking KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) with Mozambique,” tweeted Sihle Zikalala, KwaZulu-Natal province’s tourism head.
Advancing African Integration. The new bridge linking KZN (SA) with Mozambique was officially launched 2day pic.twitter.com/lF3gf3n3Dr
— Sihle Zikalala (@sziks) November 10, 2018
But the bridge actually connects two sides of the bay of Maputo, not South Africa and Mozambique.
Bongani Tembe, Zikalala’s spokesperson, confirmed that the Maputo-Katembe bridge itself was entirely located in Mozambique. He explained that the bridge was connected to the Kosi Bay border post into KwaZulu-Natal by a new “state-of-the-art” tarred road. Before it was constructed, only 4x4s and other off-road vehicles could navigate the sandy road.
The owner of the Utshwayelo Lodge in KwaZulu-Natal, Michael Whiteshield, told Africa Check he expected the upgraded road to be good for business, because it could now be used by people in regular cars.
The road had already brought more visitors from both South Africa and Mozambique to the White Pearl Resort in southern Mozambique, owner Amra Ehidi said. - Tshiamo Malatji (12/11/2018)
| CORRECTION: We have removed the travel times previously mentioned in this piece as we were unable to independently verify them. - 19/11/2018 |
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