The Grobler’s Bridge border crossing between South Africa and Botswana has been shut. The Border Management Authority (BMA) took the decision after heavy rainfall caused flooding at the facility.
“We have taken that decision looking at the interest of the safety of the port infrastructure, the port users including our employees. It is no longer workable,” said Peter Mpil, the BMA’s northern region commander.
“The services [and] personnel will remain suspended for today. We will monitor the situation and updates will be provided tomorrow. The port users are advised to take note of what we are saying in diverting the movements to [alternative] ports,” he added, in an interview with Newzroom Afrika.
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Alternative border crossings
While the BMA is monitoring the situation, Mpil said advised motorists to use alternative border crossings. He said they have strengthened capacity at several ports to handle additional traffic.
Drivers of non-commercial vehicles may make use of the Stockpoort and Platjan Ports of Entry. Truck drivers, meanwhile, will have to cross through Skilpadshek, Ramatlabama, Beitbridge or Kopfontein.
Since Grobler’s Bridge is located close to the Limpopo River, Mpil said the BMA was looking into the possibility of relocating its facilities. Floods also closed the border in 2014.
“We have considered, moving forward, the possibility of ensuring that the port is situated in an area with infrastructure that will not expose the port as it is now. We are busy planning to ensure that the current challenges that we have inherited are addressed. That will take time. This is the port that BMA has inherited; we are here now and we are taking full responsibility,” he said.
Grobler’s Bridge is on a key route for goods flowing from Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Durban.
