SA assures Batswana travellers inspite of strike

MBONGENI MGUNI
Staff Writer | Tuesday August 24, 2010 00:00

 

More than a million South African civil servants downed tools last Thursday to press for an 8.6 percent wage review and other adjustments, causing sector wide pandemonium and even deaths in that country. Workers at South Africa's 15 exit points into Botswana largely belong to the powerful Public Service Association, with others belonging to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union. Between them the tow unions command about 400 000 members and are committed to the indefinite strike action.

Over the weekend, some cross-border travellers told Mmegi Business that service at South African border posts was characterised by fear of the violence that has engulfed the strike, particularly aimed at strikebreakers.

Others who travelled through South Africa to Mozambique said they experienced numbing delays re-entering South Africa en route to Botswana as border officials abandoned their posts. 'Getting through the Mozambian side was a piece of cake, but at the South African side, the queue was nearly 200 metres long and hardly moving, said Thabo Mogorosi. 'They had deployed members of the South African Police Service to process travellers as the border officials were on strike. However, the police were clearly unfamiliar with the technology and processes at the border post, resulting in us standing in line for hours.'

Yesterday, senior South African Home Affairs officials said priority was being given to the security of travellers at all border posts and their free and smooth movement. Officials in the North West, Limpopo and Northern Cape provinces - the three bordering Botswana - said instances of slow service were likely, but plans were in place to enable the smooth travel of Batswana.

North West Home Affairs Acting Provincial Manager, Jack Monedi, said security and unhindered passage at the six border posts in his jurisdiction were a priority. 'I can confirm that our ports are operational and there are contingency plans in cases where people choose to go on strike,' Monedi said. 'There could be skeletal staff at some ports because people are on strike, but there will not be a shutdown at any port. All travellers will be assisted. What they may experience is slow clearance because of the strike.'

Monedi said 'the entire' law enforcement agencies were on hand at the border posts and road leading towards them to ensure security of travellers. 'There's no problem of intimidation,' he said. 'We have deployed more police at the border posts to help in terms of security. We have earmarked the border posts as security zones.

There will be free movement of travellers and we encourage them to visit.' Northern Cape Home Affairs Provincial Manager, Abednico Mvula, echoed Monedi's comments, emphasising that threats or the perception of danger at border posts was being dealt with by the police. 'Our border posts have not been affected by the strike,' Mvula said. 'Infact, the officials at our posts are not participating in the strike. If there's any problem, however, we are liaising with the police and they will take over and assist. Thus far, we have not received any reports of intimidation or violence in or around the border posts.'

Limpopo Home Affairs officials said they had not received any reports of problems in the clearance and passage of travellers at the border posts with Botswana.

Batswana travellers supported the SA officials' statements, saying the strike was yet to affect cross border travel. 'I left for Johannesburg late on Thursday night through the Tlokweng gate and returned on Friday through the same border post,' said Rebaone Lecage.

'It was business as usual and there was no hint of any problem. Infact, the same faces were manning the border post. 'However, while in South Africa, I felt the impact of the strike when a friend I had visited was turned away from a hospital when he tried to book for his pregnant wife to deliver. Both my friend and his wife are Batswana.'

Goabaone Matlhaku, who travelled to Johannesburg via OR Tambo International Airport last week, said there was no sign of a strike at the airport. 'I left on the 15th and returned on the 21st and service at the airport was totally normal,' Matlhaku said.

'We were in and out very quickly. I only heard about the strike on South African and Botswana television stations.' Meanwhile, South African unions currently on strike have reportedly threatened to ramp up their activities with a mass march on Thursday. More unions have joined in the strike, although there is division over whether the action should be definite or indefinite.