14 Feb 2019

Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mr Kenneth Matambo says his ministry has no plans to extend the operational hours at Sikwane/Derdepoort border post given that traffic levels are low.  Answering a question in Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Matambo said Sikwane/Derdepoort Border Post opens from 6am to 7pm and changing operational hours at border posts involved negotiations with neighbouring countries. He said negotiations considered various factors including volume of traffic and resources that might be required if consideration was to be made to extend hours. Minister Matambo further said his ministry had no plans to open a border post at Ramotlabaki given the substantial capital cost implications of such a project. “Opening of new border posts, as already stated, is also dependent on whether the two neighbouring countries can agree. In any event, proliferation of border posts is not encouraged as it is costly to both countries,” he said. Member of Parliament for Mochudi  East Mr Moagi Molebatsi had asked the minister if he would consider increasing operational hours at Sikwane (Derdepoort) Border Post and if he would consider constructing a border post at Ramotlabaki to ease access into South Africa for people living along the border fence. ENDS