20 Sep 2015

Establishment of a pilot cross border point at Tshidilamolomo has been postponed pending talks with the South African counterparts. The decision to open a pilot cross border point at Tshidilamolomo came after the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs signed an agreement with its sister ministry from South Africa on July 14. 

There are two Tshidilamolomo villages situated on either side of the border with South Africa between villages of Mabule and Mmakgori in Goodhope/Mabule constituency but with no designated border crossing point, as such movement across the border by the residents living in the two villages has always been difficult. 

The establishment of the pilot cross border was to facilitate easy movement of people in the area. 

In an interview Director of Immigration and citizenship, Mr Mabuse Pule said the pilot cross border point was expected to be effective on September 01 but due to unforeseen circumstances the project has been deferred. 

Mr Pule said the officials from both ministries met at Mafikeng on August 13 to discuss the logistics of operating the pilot cross border point but the discussions fell out because they still had to agree on the standard operating procedures at the border. 

He said they had to discuss how the two countries were going to share resources in the facilitation of that project. 

He also highlighted that, they still had to agree on the types of the merchandises allowed to cross at the pilot crossing border. 

Furthermore, he said they held another meeting on August 25 with the surveys who later in their preliminary survey results indicated that the pre identified point is far from their service points in South Africa. 

He also said in their findings, they further indicated that, the soil structure at the identified site is of poor quality as it is made up of clay. 

He said they allege that it is difficult to erect a structure in that kind of soil. However, Mr Pule said the surveyors suggested other three points but in their last meeting on September 15 they have agreed to erect a temporary structure at the pre identified site and at the elapse of the pilot duration they will take it further to decide as to whether they continue with that temporary location or decide on a different location. 

Following the delay, Mr Pule said they have informed the residents of the two villages and in their series of meetings they are always accompanied by Kgosi Samuel Legotlwane of Tshidilamolomo in Botswana. 

He said the date to open the pilot cross border point will be communicated in due course. Ends