22 Apr 2014

The Martins Drift border post was re-opened on April15, just in time for past Easter holidays. The border post was closed because of the flooding of Limpopo River.

The river, which separates Martins Drift and the South African Groblersbrug border posts, was recently flooded because of heavy rains causing the temporary closure of the Martins Drift border.

The border immediately sprang to life after it was opened as people used it to cross to and from South Africa during the Easter holidays. Chief immigration officer at Martins Drift border post, Ms Khumoetsile Kgotlaetsile said in an interview that the border had been busy since Easter Friday as many people were travelling between Botswana and South Africa.

“The number increased from 2 033 on Tuesday to 8 550 on Friday. Most of the people were travelling to South Africa for the Easter pilgrimage,” she said. The border also received a high number of arrivals on Easter Monday, where about 8 000 people crossed into the country from South Africa.

Ms Kgotlaetsile said they had not experienced any challenges since the border opened and everything was back to normal. She added that they decided to extend the border’s operating hours to 24 hours on April 16 and April 20.

“We however reverted to our normal work schedule on Monday and closed the border at 12 midnight,” she said. People who normally used the Martins Drift border said they were happy that it had been re-opened and commended the staff for their excellent service during the busy Easter holidays.

Ms Karabo Mogami, a regular traveller between Botswana and South Africa, said the closure of the Martins Drift border last month posed a serious challenge to people in the Tswapong area because it was the most accessible border for them.

She revealed that when the border was closed most of them had to travel longer distances to Parrshalt or other border posts. Business around the border post was also booming as usual as people thronged the supermarket and fuel station to buy groceries and fuel. Ends