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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
THE Plumtree Border Post has recorded a sharp increase in the number of diasporans flocking to the country for the festive season. This has led to the introduction of a 24-hour-service at the border. In an interview the Assistant Regional Immigration Officer in charge of Plumtree Border Post, Nqobile Ncube said the border was now handling about 8,000 travellers per day up from about 2,000 people on normal days.

He said the figure was expected to increase today. Ncube said the border had introduced a 24-hour-service on Tuesday, for three days up to Christmas. He said 37,434 travellers had been cleared at the border between December 16 and December 21, compared to 35,886 travellers that were cleared over the same period last year.

The immigration officer said the department had put in place measures to ensure that travellers were not delayed at the border. “We anticipate that the figures might shoot up on Christmas Eve but we are geared up for the influx of travellers.

“The 24-hour-service, which has also been introduced on the Botswana side, will stretch until Christmas Day when we shall revert to closing the border at 10PM. All returning residents are being cleared from outside counters while the other travellers are being served from inside. This is all in a bid to ensure that travellers get effective services,” said Ncube.

He said the border had a satisfactory staff complement which had been organised into three shifts to ensure that travellers were cleared quickly. Ncube said his office had engaged their Botswana counterparts to ensure that travellers were not stranded at the Botswana Border.

Ncube said most of the travellers that were passing through the border were returning residents who were coming to spend the festive season with their relatives. He said as the Christmas Holiday was nearing the number of travellers being cleared on a day was rising gradually.

“A total of 7,887, travellers were cleared on Tuesday, 7,487 on Monday, 7,225 on Sunday and 6,314 on Saturday,” he said. Ncube said the number of travellers being cleared at the border started increasing gradually at the beginning of the month but had shot up by Tuesday.

He said 96,085 travellers passed through the border between December 1 and December 21, compared to 97,947 over the same period last year.

“In the last quarter of the year we have also realised a significant increase in the number of deportees coming from Botswana. It appears that authorities from the neighbouring country have put in place strict measures to deal with illegal immigrants,” he said.

Ncube urged parents working in the diaspora to follow correct procedures when they wanted to transport their children across the border.

He said people that had been entrusted with escorting the children should have the necessary travel documents.

“It is a pity that a number of parents contract omalayitsha to convey their children to neighbouring countries. This experience puts these children through a great deal of trauma as some are abused sexually along the way.

“I would like to appeal to parents to ensure that they regularise necessary documentation to ensure the safe movement of their children,” said Ncube.