08 Feb 2021

Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr Thapelo Matsheka says there are no plans to construct a border post at Kaa settlement between Botswana and Namibia.

He said the nearest border post close to Kaa was Mamuno Border Post about 300 km away.

The minister said the cost to construct a new border post was P15 million while a crossing point with a small cabin costed P5 million with P3 million needed to run it every year.

Minister Matsheka said the budgetary constraints which had been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic did not allow the country to open additional border posts.

“It is worth noting that there are 29 border posts across Botswana. Establishing an additional crossing point will inevitably set additional pressures on the already constrained government budget,” he said.

He further said opening a new border post required negotiations with neighbouring countries and that Namibia did not have any village or any economic activity near the Kaa area.

Kgalagadi North MP, Ms Talita Monnakgotla had asked the minister if he would consider opening a border post between Botswana and Namibia in Kaa for the economic benefit of the people of Kgalagadi. ENDS