Ramokgwebana border ready to operate 24 hours - BURS chief

CHAKALISA DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday August 23, 2013 00:00

Known in Botswana as Ramokgwebana and in Zimbabwe as Plumtree, the border crossing currently opens at 6am and closes at 10pm. However, Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) director, Ken Morris has told Mmegi that they are considering opening Ramokgwebana for 24 hours. But this will only work if Zimbabwe operates Plumtree border crossing for 24 hours.

Morris was speaking to Mmegi after BURS received houses worth P36 million from the Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) on Wednesday. BHC was tasked with coordinating the construction of the 36 housing units on behalf of BURS. A local contractor, CC Projects, constructed the houses.There has been an outcry from members of the public who want the Ramokgwebana border to open for 24 hours owing to the frequent movement of people, particularly traders between Zimbabwe and Botswana. BURS has always defended its failure to operate the border for 24 hours on shortage of staff and accommodation. However, the new housing development means that enough staff can be posted at the border for a 24-hour shift.

'The houses we have just received from the BHC are part of our efforts to bring enough resources to the border so that we can operate it for 24 hours. The handover of the houses is the third and last phase of our ambitious project to bring resources to the area so that we can operate for 24 hours. 'The first and second phase included extending the border offices and upgrading walkways and was completed a few years ago. We are seriously considering opening the border on a 24 hour basis as per demands of the public. We will however have to consult the Zimbabwean government to see if they are also ready to operate their border on a 24-hour basis before making the switch. 'If they are ready that is when we can begin operating without closing but I cannot commit to a date when we will approach them (Zimbabwe government) because we have to follow laid down procedures and protocol to talk to them. I hope it will be soon though,' Morris said. He added that for BURS to open the border for 24 hours, it will also have to engage other stakeholders in the country to see if they are ready.

BURS was established nine years ago to among other things, oversee customs activities and protection of all border facilities around the country. This includes the general border operations, with the assistance of the police, soldiers and immigration officials. 'Last year, we were ranked among the lowest countries in the World Bank survey on doing business-when it comes to doing business across borders. I believe that opening the Ramokgwebana border for 24 hours will be one way of improving our rankings when it comes to trading across borders,' Morris said.More than three years ago, the governments of Botswana and Zimbabwe signed an agreement through the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security to have the Ramokgwebana-Plumtree borders operating for 24 hours.

Meanwhile, at the officiation of the BURS houses, the deputy Permanent Secretary at the Department of Lands, Maotoanong Sebina, emphasised the need to open the border for 24 hours. He said the current hours of operation inconveniences passengers. 'I expect that the handover of the houses will enable you (BURS) to increase the number of staff to be able to open for 24 hours so that you can enhance efficiency at the border. It has become one of the busiest points of entry and departure owing to increased movement of people between Botswana and Zimbabwe,' he said.