Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
The Government has started refurbishing Maitengwe Border Post west of Plumtree as it moves to transform the port into a modern, solar-powered and fully digitised border post.
The project, which is expected to be completed by December 2026, includes roofing and ceiling of the clearance hall, solarisation, painting of buildings and full enrolment in digitisation.
Chief Director of Immigration Ms Respect Gono said on Thursday that the refurbishment aims to improve efficiency and adopt modern border management systems.
“The Department of Immigration is working to enrol digitalisation of Maitengwe Border, hence the refurbishment to enhance a modern border post,” she said.
“Currently we are using the manual clearance platform, and per day we clear 80 to 100 travellers at Maitengwe.
“You will note that these borders are done for the community, hence leaving no one and no place behind.”
Ms Gono said Maitengwe is the last border post between Zimbabwe and Botswana yet to be digitalised, after Mpoengs, Mlambapele and Plumtree were digitised and solarised earlier this year.
“Mpoengs, Mlambapele and Plumtree are all now digitalised, which is a positive, and it has been done this year; solarisation as well. Weekly, we process between 15 000 and 25 000 travellers at all four borders,” she said.
“We are working hard to ensure all borders between Botswana and Zimbabwe are upgraded and digitalised. Maitengwe is the only one left, so indeed this is huge.”
She added that once complete, the modernised Maitengwe Border Post is expected to improve service delivery, reduce clearance times and strengthen community access for border communities.
