Flooding forces BMA to shut three SA-Botswana border posts

Flooding

Cape Town – The Border Management Authority (BMA) has suspended operations at three ports of entry — Pont Drift, Makgobistad, and Derdepoort — due to severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall.

These border posts, which connect South Africa to Botswana, have been deemed unsafe for operations as water levels in the Molopo River continue to rise.

BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato announced the temporary closure, urging travellers and commercial operators to use alternative ports such as Ramatlabama, Kopfontein, and Skilpadshek.

The BMA is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as conditions improve.

“The heavy rainfall in the region has resulted in significant water levels rising in the Molopo River, making operations at the three ports of entry unsafe and impractical.

“As a result, the BMA in consultation with the authorities in Botswana, has taken the necessary precautionary measures to suspend operations at these ports of entry until further notice,” Masiapato said in a statement. 

“Travellers and commercial operators are advised to use Ramatlabama, Kopfontein, and Skilpadshek ports of entry, for cross-border movement. The BMA will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as conditions improve.”

Severe rainfall across South Africa has led to flooding over the past week, displacing families and causing fatalities.

In KwaZulu-Natal, six people have died due to mudslides and structural collapses, while a tornado in Tshwane has left over 15 families homeless.

Despite ongoing heavy rain, the South African Weather Service predicts a drier weekend with scattered showers in the eastern regions.

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