[2] On the Mozambican stretch, between Maputo and Goba, the managing company is Mozambique Ports and Railways (CFM);[1] on the Eswatinean (swazi) stretch, between the cities of Mlawula and Matsapha, the administration is done by the company Eswatini Railways (ESR).

Mining in Ngwenya ceased in 1980 and the railway section between this city and Matsapha was abandoned.

[5] The Mozambican War of Independence and the subsequent Mozambican Civil War caused disruptions in Eswatini's port trade through Mozambique, and in 1977, the South African Railways Company agreed to build a link between the Golela train station and the stretch existing in Siphofaneni/Phuzumoya and Mpaka.

This line, opened in 1978, gave Eswatini rail access to Durban and Richards Bay.

[5] In 1986, the northern link was opened, connecting Komatipoort to Mpaka, providing a shorter and alternative route for freight and passenger traffic from Eswatini and East South Africa to the port of Richards Bay, breaking much of the traffic and cargo transported by the port of Maputo.