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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
THE Plumtree Border Post recoded a 40 percent increase in travellers during the Easter holiday with 43 390 people being cleared compared to 31 045 travellers over the same period last year.

Assistant Regional Immigration Officer in Charge of the border, Mr Blessing Marwa, said the highest number of travellers passed through the border post last Friday.

He said 7 081 people were cleared on that day for both arrivals and departures.

“We had a busier Easter period this year when compared to last year as we recorded a 40 percent increase in the number of travellers that were cleared.

Last year from 20 March to 28 March 2016 we handled 31 045 travellers while this year from 9 April to 17 April we cleared 43 390 travellers.

“Our busiest days this year were Good Friday and Easter Monday. On Friday we had the highest number of entries at 5 819 while we had the highest number of exits on Monday with 5 753,” he said.

Mr Marwa said travellers who passed through the border over the holiday comprised mostly of religious groups. He said operating for 24 hours each day over the Easter holiday helped to ease congestion.

Mr Marwa said travellers however, faced delays at the Ramokgwebana Border Post in Botswana with some travellers being forced to turn back.

“All our systems were up and running throughout the Easter Holiday and all travellers were cleared on time and efficiently. We didn’t receive any complaints from travellers although they faced challenges upon reaching the Botswana side.

“Some travellers were being forced to turn back while others resorted to using Maitengwe and Mphoengs Border Posts which are within the region,” he said.

The Plumtree Border Post introduced a 24 hour service over the Easter Holiday.

@DubeMatutu