Africa-Press – Botswana. Martins Drift and South Africa’s Groblersbrug border posts have been temporarily closed due to floods caused by the recent rains.
The Limpopo River, which separates Martins Drift and the Groblersbrug borders posts is flooded due to the heavy rains.
In an interview, immigration manager at Martins Drift border post, Mr Moneedi Merafhe said on Tuesday following consultation with the Groblersbrug border management they decided that temporary suspension of operations was necessary to prioritise safety.
He said the decision to close the borders was taken after realising that the South African border (Goblersbrug) was flooded.
He said truck drivers had since been advised to use alternative ports of entry such as Tlokweng and Pioneer border posts.
He said the Martin’s Drift border post brought in a lot of money and that its closure had affected their revenue collection.
The closure of the borders had also affected various businesses such as lodges, shops, food vendors and the fuel station in the area.
The manager for Kwa Nokeng Lodge, which is situated along the Limpopo River at the Martins Drift/Groblersbrug border posts, Ms Doreen Phemelo said they had experienced low business toward the end of the year when the rain season started.
She said they were at times forced to cancel bookings and temporarily suspend services such as game drives and boat cruises.
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