adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
OVER 22,000 people passed through the Western Region Borders between Thursday and Sunday as diasporians flocked home for the Easter Holiday.The regional immigration officer in charge of the Western Region, Regies Munyaradzi, said they handled the highest number of travellers on Friday. He said this year’s figures were slightly higher than those recorded last year over the same period.
“We were slightly busy during this year’s Easter Holiday compared to last year. The three Western Region borders which comprise Mpoengs, Plumtree and Maitengwe recorded 22,375 travellers while they recorded 20,700 last year. Of these, 15,960 were entries while 6,413 were exits. We have been able to handle this influx of travellers.
“The last day of the holiday which is today (yesterday) is quite busy as a number of people working outside the country are leaving. The number might remain high even tomorrow (today),” said Munyaradzi.
He said of the 22,375 travellers, 19,179 went through the Plumtree border and the rest went through Mpoengs and Maitengwe borders.
“The Plumtree border is always the busiest of the three borders. The two other borders are still underdeveloped. Mpoengs is still not electrified while the staff at Maitengwe are still operating from makeshift structures and they are all clearing travellers manually.
“As a result a number of people are running away from these two borders and they opt to pass through Plumtree border even though they may be closer to one of the other two,” said Munyaradzi.
Munyaradzi added: “Our figures started increasing as from Monday last week and they shot up on Thursday. We recorded the highest number of travellers on Friday where we had 7,475 entries and 5,434 exits.”
When the Chronicle news crew visited the Plumtree border post yesterday the situation was well managed on the Zimbabwean side as there were short queues. The Botswana border was able to maintain short queues this Easter holiday compared to other holidays when travellers found themselves stranded upon reaching the Botswana border.
Munyaradzi said they recorded an increase in deportations over the Easter holiday. He said they handled 281 deportees on Thursday last week while 208 were handled on Wednesday. Munyaradzi said the deportation figures shot up on Tuesday when they handled 208, up from 121 on Monday last week.
Online Reporter