Severe flooding forces temporary closure of three South Africa-Botswana Border Posts! [update]

update (04 March 2025): The Commissioner of the South African Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, announced on 03 March 2025 that operations at the Stockpoort, Bray, Groblersbridge, Makgobistad, and Pontdrift ports of entry between South Africa and Botswana are temporary suspended due to severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall. This most likey means that operations at the Derdepoort (Sikwane) Border Post have been resumed.

The South African Border Management Authority (BMA) has temporarily suspended operations at three border posts between South Africa and Botswana due to severe flooding. The affected ports of entry are Pontdrift Border Post, Makgobistad (Phitsane Molopo) Border Post, and Derdepoort (Sikwane) Border Post.
Heavy rainfall has caused water levels in the Molopo River to rise significantly, making conditions at these border posts unsafe for travel. In coordination with Botswana's authorities, the BMA has implemented these precautionary measures until further notice.
Travellers and commercial operators are advised to use alternative border posts, including Ramatlabama, Kopfontein (Tlokweng), and Skilpadshek (Pioneer Gate), for cross-border travel.

South Africa: The Border Management Authority (BMA) suspended operations at a key border crossing with Botswana after heavy rains caused flooding! [update #2]

update (30 January 2025): According to South African newspaper "The Citizen", operations at the Grobler's Bridge (Groblersbrug) Port of Entry between South Africa and Botswana (Martin's Drift) have resumed.

update (27 January 2025): According to a statement by the South African Border Management Authority (BMA) on 23 January 2025, operations at the Grobler's Bridge (Groblersbrug) Port of Entry between South Africa and Botswana (Martin's Drift) are still temporarily suspended. The floodwaters have now subsided and a comprehensive project plan has been developed to address the necessary repairs. The BMA is expecting to reopen the border around the 29 January 2025. We'll keep you posted! 

Operations at the Grobler's Bridge (Groblersbrug) Port of Entry between South Africa and Botswana (Martin's Drift) have been temporarily suspended due to high water levels caused by heavy rainfall, the South African Border Management Authority (BMA) has announced. The rising water levels have severely impacted the safety and functionality of the border post.
The BMA recommends that travelers and small vehicle users consider alternative routes via the non-commercial Stockpoort Border Post (Parr's Halt) and Platjan Border Post. For cargo transport, truck operators are advised to use Skilpadshek, Ramatlabama, Beitbridge, or Kopfontein crossings.
We'll keep you posted!

South Africa: Border authority ramps up festive season operations!

According to the South African Border Management Authority (BMA), at least six million people will move through South Africa’s borders during the upcoming festive season. The BMA has therefor implemented a comprehensive plan including longer border post operating times and more boots on the ground for its festive season operations. It also engaged with South Africa’s six neighbouring countries on the “synchronisation of processes and other work modalities” including working hours.

The following working hours will now be operational at ports of entry:

• Grobler’s Bridge to Botswana: 06:00 to midnight on 15, 16, 22 and 23 December 2023
• Swartkopfontein to Botswana: 06:00 to 20:00 from 14 to 17 December 2023, 22 to 24 December 2023, 02 to 04 January 2024 as well as 13 and 15 January 2024
• Kosi Bay to Mozambique: 06:00 to 18:00 from 14 December 2023 to 14 January 2024
• Mahamba to eSwatini: 07:00 to midnight on 15, 23, 24 December 2023
• Jeppes Reef to eSwatini: 07:00 to 22:00 from 22 December 2023 to 02 January 2024
• Mananga to eSwatini: 07:00 to 20:00 from 18 to 23 December 2023
• Sanipass to Lesotho: 06:00 to 20:00 on 15, 16 December 2023 as well as 21 to 24 December 2023
• Caledonspoort to Lesotho:  06:00 to midnight on 15, 16 and 23 December 2023 and 02 January 2024. On 22 December 2023, the port will operate for 24 hours.
• Van Rooyensgate to Lesotho: 06:00 to midnight on 15, 16 and 24 December 2023 as well as 08 January 2024. It will operate for 24 hours on 23 December 2023 and 02 January 2024
• Monontsa Pass to Lesotho: 07:00 to 18:00 on 23 and 24 December 2023 as well as 02 and 03 January 2024
• Peka Bridge to Lesotho: 08:00 to 18:00 on 23 and 24 December 2023 as well as 02 and 03 January 2024

BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato further announced that the Authority will be deploying about 380 additional personnel at the selected busiest ports of entry to assist with the delivery of services and provision of technical support during this festive season. There are also a number of senior members from the Border Technical Committee (BTC) who have been allocated individual ports for their visitation during the identified critical dates to provide support to the operational teams on the ground.