Transit cargo operators using Botswana for cross-border logistics from South Africa to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been given the all-clear to use alternative borders south of Groblersbrug (GBR).
Loads that have been precleared for GBR transit towards Martin’s Drift Border Post can reroute via Kopfontein and Skilpadshek further south, Kage Barnett of the Transit Assistance Bureau (Transist) has confirmed.
Although the border had not been officially declared closed at 8am on February 3, Barnett said a source working at a fuel stop at Martin’s Drift had confirmed that the Botswana border was closed.
These developments come after heavy rain caused the Limpopo River to breach its banks - and not for the first time this year.
Over the weekend, water was already flowing into the border control zone of GBR.
Limpopo levels some 40 kilometres upstream of the border crossing were said to be 500mm higher than levels this time last year, and rising fast.
A farmer in the Lephalale area shared footage showing flooded bushveld where the Rietspruit tributary flows into the Mokolo River near its confluence with the Limpopo.
Moving around on a boat meant for deepsea use, thatched-roof chalets can be seen up to their eaves underwater.
Barnett advised transporters destined to cross at GBR to make the necessary route alterations.
It’s the second time this year that important crossings on the north-south supply line to Zambia and the DRC have been disrupted by rainfall.
Towards the end of January, the border was also closed and personnel had to be evacuated when the Limpopo breached its banks and flooded GBR.
Sudden closure of the border led to queues of at least three kilometres backing up east of GBR.
