The commissioner in charge of border operations, Dr. Michael Masiapato, revealed the news of the closure of two borders, Pafuri and Giriyondo Port of Entry due to flooding in and around the area.
Pafuri is the border between South Africa and Mozambique, north of the Kruger National Park. Pafuri gate is closed due to high flood water.
Giriyondo, located between South Africa and Mozambique is an important part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which crosses the whole of South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
On Sunday afternoon, reports from Kruger National Park staff monitoring the area revealed that the water at the Luvuvhu river bridge has increased by about half a meter compared to Saturday. Further updates also confirmed that the Klein Letaba and Middlevlei rivers are full and overflowing, while the Letaba bridge is about to overflow due to continued inflow of water.
Given that the Luvuvhu River adjoins Pafuri, the water levels rise rapidly posing a safety hazard to workers, travelers, and infrastructure in the area.
“In order to ensure the safety of all concerned, the border control authority has decided to suspend operations at the affected borders until conditions improve..
“All BMA staff, members of the Border Management Committee and vehicles operating at the affected borders have been evacuated as a security precaution,” the BMA said in a statement.
Travelers intending to enter the Pafuri Gate are advised to use the Punda Maria Gate as a safe place. Punda Maria Gate is located about 65 kilometers from Pafuri.
