News

SA truckers strike contained as Ramatlabama border reopens

Larona Makhaiza | Tuesday May 21, 2024 15:00

Following the temporary closure of the Ramatlabama Border Post this morning, the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) has revealed that the border is now open for business as the strike in South Africa (SA) has just been contained.
 
Following the temporary closure of the Ramatlabama Border Post this morning, the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) has revealed that the border is now open for business as the strike in South Africa (SA) has just been contained.

Earlier this morning, BURS released a statement informing the public to refrain from using the Ramatlabama Border Post.

“The public is informed that the Ramatlabama Border Post is temporarily closed (May 21, 2024) until further notice. This is due to an ongoing strike by the South African National Truckers,” BURS reported.

BURS highlighted that the border was closed because roads leading to the border were inaccessible due to the strike in SA this morning. However, in an interview with Mmegi Online, BURS spokesperson Mable Bolele revealed that the situation has now been contained in SA and it is business as usual.

“We are about to open the border we have just received communication from SA that they are opening their border as they have dealt with the situation. So, this means we also have to open the borders,” she said.

SA media outlet, SABC News reported that the strike was instigated by cries from employees of Dynamic People’s Union of South Africa (DYPUSA) who downed tools to advocate for proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), danger allowances, and wages as they believe that they are being exploited by trucking companies.

Bolele further revealed that the only border that was affected was the Ramatlabama meaning that it was business as usual at Lobatse and Tlokweng bordergates.