Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
The Kopfontein Port of Entry, which connects South Africa and Botswana, resumed operations on Monday after temporary suspension on Friday caused by infrastructure challenges.
Commissioner of South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, said in a statement on Monday that normal processing of cargo and travellers resumed at 6 am and that the port will operate daily until midnight.
The border was temporarily closed on Friday, after a spillage affected the residential area adjacent to the port, making it unsafe for travellers and officials.
“The spillage had affected the operational area of the port, creating challenges that required intervention in consultation with relevant Botswana authorities,” said Dr Masiapato.
During the closure, travellers were advised to use alternative ports of Skilpadshek and Ramatlabama.
The closure had threatened to increase pressure on Beitbridge Border Post, Zimbabwe’s busiest gateway.
A significant volume of commercial and private traffic travelling between Zambia, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa often transits via Botswana, using Kazungula and Platfontein borders before entering South Africa through Kopfontein and other Botswana-SA ports.
It is understood that with Kopfontein closed, many transporters had started rerouting through Beitbridge, raising fears of congestion at the already busy port.
