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The Border Management Authority (GBO) has confirmed that operations at five border posts were forced to cease due to flooding. The relevant border posts include Stockpoort, Makgobistad, Bray, Groblersbrug and Pontdrift.
According to the GBO’s commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, Stockpoort was the worst affected and all operations had to be suspended. “The border post is completely surrounded by floodwater. The main road to there is impassable and even the bridge on the other side has disappeared under the water,” he said.
Law enforcement and immigration officers were trapped on an island at the border post for some time.
Emergency services in Limpopo were immediately notified and launched a rescue operation yesterday. Stranded officials were taken to safety by helicopter.
However, Stockpoort is not the only border post affected by flooding. The Makgobistad border post remains closed due to the high water levels of the Molopo River, while Bray and Groblers Bridge are also heavily flooded and all services there have been stopped. At Pontdrift, the water level remains dangerously high and normal operations will be able to resume as soon as conditions improve.
However, there is some relief for travellers, as the GBO has confirmed that water levels have dropped at the Derdepoort border post and that operations there are resuming normally.
The GBO advised travellers and commercial transport operators to use alternative border posts until the situation at the closed border posts stabilises.
“We recommend that travelers take advantage of the Ramatlabama, Kopfontein, Beit Bridge or Tortoise Gate border post,” Masiapato said.
Travelers are advised to plan their routes in advance and stay informed of any further notices about border posts’ status.
source:Floods cause disruption at border posts | Pretoria FM
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