Drivers warned to avoid rain-soaked border post
Imi Mokgethi | Friday December 23, 2016 12:31
Mabolwe border post immigration officer Dennis Kaelo told Mmegi in an interview yesterday that the road to the border from Mabolwe village is currently in a bad state, adding that the crossing points where the road intersects with the rivers have also been washed away by the water.
He therefore advised motorists to desist from using the road, saying cars cannot cross the Tati River that currently has knee-deep water levels.
“Pedestrians are however encouraged to use the border post as there is no congestion. Motorists who cross into the country can use the road provided they drive a car that could withstand the bad road conditions,” he said.
He however, indicated that they are working with the Roads department to ensure that the road is safe; adding that there are plans to gravel the road in the near future.
Kaelo further stated that ever since the border commenced its operations in June this year, there has been a very low number of people who use the border, stating that they record an average of six people who cross in and out of the country on a daily basis.
He said that the border is mostly used by the Zimbabweans who travel with many goods, but have since resorted to using other border posts such as the Ramokgwebana and Matsiloje ones due to the bad condition of the road.
“Zimbabwean public servants used to cross in significant numbers to do their shopping at the neighbouring Bobonong village, but since the recent economic crisis at their country that affected their salaries, their movement here has gone down.
Some cross over to visit their relatives in the neighbouring village. As for Batswana, we register only one person per week,” said Kaelo.
The immigration officer advised parents traveling with children under the age of 16 to bring the children’s birth certificates, as well as an affidavit from the other parent if the child is travelling with one parent.
In addition, he urged foreigners to bring original resident permits, highlighting that no copies will be allowed.