24 Mar 2019

Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Mr Ngaka Ngaka has called on immigration officers at Ramokgwebana border to uphold good customer service standards.

Addressing the officers on March 19 during a tour of the border post, the minister said immigration officers were the face of the country as they were the first to interact with visitors when they arrived in Botswana.

He stated that Ramokgwebana border was one of the busiest entry points in Botswana, hence it needed attention from the ministry to see if operations were going accordingly.

Mr Ngaka highlighted that investors and other people who visited their relatives in Botswana entered the country through borders, but there were those who were engaged in drug trafficking and other illegal activities who needed to be scrutinised carefully.

He urged officers to work hard and assist customers with due diligence as this would ensure they got noticed and promoted.

He further encouraged every officer in their own capacity to serve the nation with repute. “Protect our country as public servants, be a responsible and reputable citizen who strives for excellence,” emphasised Mr Ngaka.

The Ramokgwebana border acting officer in charge, Ms Olebogeng Mmipi appreciated the minister’s visit and thanked the ministry for ensuring that all officers had accommodation at the border post, which enabled them to perform their work efficiently.

Ms Mmipi also appreciated the ministry for having purchased a departure and arrival stamps for each officer, adding that this improved service delivery. 

However, she requested that they be given a safe to keep stamps.

Ms Mmipi stated that phase two of the upgrading of the border would commence soon, hence requested the minister to ensure that electricity was connected at the arrival desk.

Officers requested the minister to consult with the permit issuing office to ensure that passports and permits expiry dates correlated. 

They said that there were instances where an individual would stay in Botswana with a valid permit while their passport had expired.

The officers requested for proper uniform and also asked the minister to request the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to allow their department to use a portion of the revenue they collected to develop their operations.

They further asked for internet connection, stating that internet was key in enhancing their performance.

Responding to officers, the director of immigration, Ms Florah Lekoko stated that officers’ uniform would soon be delivered as they were doing final touches such as embroidery of logo.

She stated that it was government’s decision not to connect internet on the passport system because it could corrupt it, but they had requested extra computers that would be wired with internet and Government Accounting and Budgeting System.

Ms Lekoko said it was the responsibility of every permit holder to ensure that they went back to their country to renew passport when the expiry date approached so that it tallied with the dates on the permit. ends