Bulelwa Hoala

Border Management Authority (BMA) commissioner, Dr. Michael Masiapato, has announced the temporary suspension of operations at five ports of entry due to severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall.
According to reports, the affected ports are Stockpoort, Makgobistad, Bray, Groblersbridge and Pontdrift.
Masiapato confirmed that the Makgobistad Port of Entry remains closed due to flooding from the Molopo River which has also impacted the Bray and Groblersbridge ports.
Pontdrift is also affected by high water levels.
“At Stockpoort Port of Entry, operations have been suspended as the port is completely surrounded by water. The corridor leading to the port, the operational area, and the bridge after the port have been submerged.
“BMA and other law enforcement officials were stranded on the island where the Immigration Office is located, making movement impossible.
“In response, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Limpopo were activated yesterday to evacuate affected employees, including all law enforcement officers, using an EMS helicopter for their safety,” said Masiapato.
Meanwhile, normal operations have resumed at Derdepoort Port of Entry after water levels have subsided.
Travellers and commercial operators are advised to use alternative cross-border points Ramatlabama, Kopfontein, Beitbridge and Skilpadshek.
This comes after the BMA temporarily closed three border points with Botswana due to flooding last month.
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