NEW HEADACHE AT NGWENYA BORDER GATE

NGWENYA - The frustration experienced by travellers on the South African side of the Ngwenya-Oshoek Border Gate has spilled onto the local side.

Following renovations which have been taking place for some time, travellers have been left frustrated after the spot where they normally received gate passes was changed.

Instead of making life easier for the travellers, the new spot, a portable structure situated right at the entry of the main gate, has caused a headache for most travellers especially those driving as they were seemingly not aware of it. As a result, they have, in the past few days been  passing the new spot with the hope to get the gate passes at the immigration counters inside, only to be  turned back.

No one could blame them for not making a stop as there was no security guard or officer directing them to do so.
In the past, there was a wooden shelter where drivers would just make a stop, open their windows and obtain the gate passes without a hassle while others obtained them inside the service points.

There used to be about two officers inside the shelter where one focused on filling in the gate pass documents with the relevant information, including the number plates and types of cars, while the other would ask the driver how many passengers were on board.
During a visit yesterday, close to 50 travellers were seemingly shocked when after having parked their cars and walked inside the immigration service centres they were told to go back to the gate and obtain the passes. Most of them decried that there was no formal announcement about the latest developments and that they had for years been receiving the gate passes at the wooden shelter or inside the immigration counters.

A look at the new spot shows that there is a small blue sign, placed closer to the roof, which is supposed to guide travellers and drivers but it is not as visible.
During the visit yesterday, next to the structure were kombis parked and obstructing g the view which made most drivers pass without seeingthe notice.

Worth noting was that yesterday was not a busy day, but the few travellers were frustrated as they would be heard mumbling as they walked back to obtain the passes.
 

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: