South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) has temporarily suspended operations at five ports of entry following severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall, Commissioner Michael Masiapato announced.
The affected border posts are Stockpoort, Makgobistad, Bray, Groblersbridge and Pontdrift where rising water levels have made operations impossible.
“At Stockpoort Port of Entry, operations have been suspended as the port is completely surrounded by water,” Masiapato said in a statement.
He revealed that “the corridor leading to the port, the operational area and the bridge after the port have been submerged.”
The flooding left BMA and law enforcement officials stranded at the Stockpoort Immigration Office, prompting an emergency evacuation at the weekend.
Limpopo’s Emergency Medical Services deployed a helicopter to airlift affected personnel to safety, Masiapato confirmed.
Other ports have also been severely impacted.
Makgobistad remains closed due to the flooding of the Molopo River, while Bray, Groblersbridge and Pontdrift have also been forced to suspend operations due to high water levels.
The BMA advised travellers and commercial operators to use alternative border crossings at Ramatlabama, Kopfontein, Beitbridge and Skilpadshek until conditions improve.
JN/APA