Thousands of pilgrims who gathered in Moria, Limpopo for the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) new-year service will begin leaving the site this afternoon, creating heavy outbound traffic that could affect motorists travelling from Polokwane towards Gauteng. The Limpopo Transport Department has warned of long queues at tollgates and delays on main routes.
Timings and traffic expectations
Limpopo Transport Department spokesperson Mashudu Mabata said the church sermon was scheduled to conclude at 15:00, with organised church buses expected to start departing from Moria from 16:00.
"The ZCC church sermon is expected to conclude at 15h00 this afternoon, with church buses expected to start departing from Moria from 16h00. Motorists travelling towards Gauteng are urged to be extra patient, as long queues are expected at tollgates due to the high volume of buses heading in that direction," Mabata said.
The department said traffic volumes would be particularly high across parts of Polokwane outbound, as hundreds of buses and thousands of private vehicles leave the pilgrimage site.
What drivers should expect
Road users can expect the following today as pilgrims depart Moria:
- Congestion on main routes leading from Moria towards the N1 and other national roads connecting to Gauteng.
- Long queues at toll plazas as many buses and private vehicles converge on the same exits and payment points.
- Extended travel times during the late afternoon and early evening while organised buses and private motorists clear the area.
Practical advice for motorists
Transport authorities recommend that motorists planning to travel towards Gauteng this afternoon either delay their trip until traffic has eased or allow for substantial extra time. Drivers are advised to:
- Check real-time traffic updates where available before departure;
- Prepare exact change or electronic payment for tolls to reduce time spent at plazas;
- Keep a safe following distance from buses and other large vehicles;
- Avoid unnecessary lane changes and follow directions from traffic officers if present.
Local impact and context
Moria hosts one of the largest annual gatherings in Limpopo and has in the past drawn thousands of worshippers and hundreds of organised church buses from across the country. Such events place heavy pressure on regional roads, toll plazas and local emergency services. While the Limpopo Transport Department has issued a public advisory, motorists and those travelling with children or elderly passengers should plan for delays.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Sermon concludes | 15:00 |
| Buses begin departing Moria | 16:00 |
The advisory issued by the transport department did not specify which tollgates would be most affected, but warned that toll plazas on routes towards Gauteng were likely to experience queues. Motorists should expect extended delays particularly where local roads feed onto the N1.
Officials and emergency services
Authorities typically co-ordinate traffic management during large religious gatherings with SAPS and municipal traffic officials. The Limpopo Transport Department spokesperson's statement serves as the formal warning to road users for this event; any further operational measures or road closures would be communicated by the department or municipal traffic services if required.
Residents in areas through which pilgrims will pass are asked to exercise caution and to heed any temporary traffic signs or instructions from officials. Those travelling by bus should confirm departure times with organisers to avoid confusion amid congestion.
This advisory applies primarily to motorists heading from Limpopo towards Gauteng as the ZCC contingent departs Moria today. Road users are urged to remain patient and to plan journeys with the expectation of delays.
Reporting from Polokwane.
