05 Jan 2016

Some Batswana do not abide by immigration laws, which require an affidavit from a person who will cross the border with children under the age of 16.

Speaking in an interview, immigration officer, Ms Maipelo Moalosi of Maitengwe Border Post said as compared to foreigners, Batswana  were not keen on complying with the law despite having full information about such requirements.

She noted that they would rather become aggressive upon being requested to produce such documents, noting that despite such difficulties they have experienced since the beginning of the festive holidays, they have made sure that no one crosses without proper documents as required by the law.

In addition, Ms Moalosi highlighted that since the start of the festive season they have seen some high traffic of mostly residents of neighbouring Zimbabwe on transit from South Africa though they were some few Batswana who were also crossing over.

She added that from the 21^st to Christmas day, they had a total of 2 396 people crossing at the border post, noting that they however had some who did not have the necessary documents reaching a total of 444.

Ms Moalosi said since they do not have a detention centre within their vicinity, they deport them on a daily basis after they have been charged.

Meanwhile, her counterpart at Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS), Mr Lucky Vincent said compared to past years, they have had high traffic which saw them clearing a total of 558 vehicles which were crossing into Zimbabwe compared to 80, which were coming into the country for the days of 21-25 December.

He nonetheless pointed out that they have had problems with some travellers not having all the necessary documents to have their vehicles cleared.

Such situations, he said, had some clients delayed for more than two hours at the border as they had to have some of the documents faxed to them.

Mr Vincent added that was affecting the strategy they had put in place to serve their clients in the shortest time they could so that they do not experience long queues.

Prior to the holidays, they had arranged that they come before opening time and issue necessary forms required by the travellers to fill so that by the time they open at 6am, the service was  quick at the counter. Ends