01 Dec 2021

There is an urgent need for the governments of Botswana and Zimbabwe to reopen the Matsiloje/Mphoeng border post to both reduce the workload on Ramokgwebana border but also to encourage legal border crossing.

Chief Immigration Assistant at Matsiloje border post, Ms Irene Mogotsi said when briefing the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Dr Themba Mmusi recently, said the closure of the border led to residents crossing illegally. 

She noted that while most Batswana who were arrested for illegal border crossing possessed valid passports, but were discouraged by to the long distance to the Maitengwe and Ramokgwebana borders. 

Most of those crossing illegally did so to check on their relatives on either side of the border, she said. She warned the continued closure of the border also created overcrowding at Ramokgwebana, putting both officers and customers at risk of contracting COVID-19. 

Regarding staff welfare, she said some officers had remained on the same scale for over 15 years and this demotivated many of them. Further, there were no officers graded at C4, C3, and C2 creating a huge gap between officers on C1 and B1 scales. She asked the as Permanent Secretary to consider filling the gaps.

 Ms Mogotsi also requested that they be provided with full uniform. 

In response, Dr Mmusi advised staff to familiarise themselves with the reset agenda and take up online courses to upskill themselves. 

Meanwhile, Safety and Health Coordinator, Ms Elizabeth Pule said it was frustrating to report for work every morning and be paid to do nothing, as the border was closed. ends