The Minister of Transport Ben Martins has indicated that Transnet Freight rail are in talks with four railway organisations North of South Africa to form a unified railway system on the corridor linking South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It was also said that a joint operating centre would be established to house all railway organizations involved which include the National Railways of Zimbabwe, Zambian Railways, the Congo Railway Company and Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway.

The centre will reside in Bulawayo and will help in facilitating efficient rail services as the organizations will work together as a joint force. Enhanced communication and integrated resource planning will be as a result of the close proximity with which the organizations will function in.

“The joint planning and business development will allow all four organisations to develop a joint marketing drive that is intended to encourage not only exports from South Africa, but also jointly identify the return cargo that will optimise the use of the same wagons for imports into South Africa,” the minister said.

He said Southern African Development Community member countries would benefit financially from this rail corridor.