27 Dec 2016

Officer in charge at Pioneer Border Post, chief immigration officer, Ms Mpho Mapfumo says the entry point experienced influx of tourists in the third week prior to Christmas holidays.

In an interview, Ms Mapfumo indicated that a large number of people departing and arriving were mostly tourists from South Africa to Namibia. She noted however that Batswana departed to South Africa in large numbers as well.

She explained that because tourists from South Africa preferred the border enroute to Namibia because it was a shorter with the Trans Kalahari Corridor as a gate way.

She added that trading companies also preferred Pioneer boarder on transit to Namibia from South Africa. She noted that with most companies closing for holidays in the third week of December, there was influx from both South Africa and Namibia with truck drivers on transit through Pioneer boarder.

Ms Mapfumo said statistics indicated that a total of 8 716 departed from the boarder, whilst 8 910 arrived at the same boarder in the third week prior to Christmas. Nevertheless, she noted that the movement at Pioneer boarder was always less congested and actually free flowing compared to other boarders on Christmas day; adding that it has shown that their biggest clients were tourists on transit to Namibia using the Trans Kalahari Corridor.

On other issues, Ms Mapfumo urged and encouraged Batswana to acquaint themselves with the necessary requirements when travelling with minors. She indicated that most Batswana were still ignorant of the laws in place with regard to that, saying they consequently face disappointment at the boarder as they were denied entry if and when they did not possess with them relevant documents for travelling with minors.

Ms Mapfumo explained that a minor in this case also referred to a 16 year old child, whom she said was not allowed to travel alone until they were 18 years old. She encouraged parents to always cross check that they have relevant children’s documents when travelling with them.ends