Bridge to reduce lawlessness
Kgosi Rebecca Baniki of Kasane believes that the erection of the multibillion pula Kazungula Bridge and the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) will help authorities in dealing with prostitution that has haunted her territory for a long time.
The bridge which started operating Tuesday this week will see goods-trucks from Botswana and Zambia which used to wait for up to a week or more to get clearance before they could be ferried across the Zambezi River, this time spending at best two hours to cross.
For ages, on everyday of the week the Kazungula towns on each side of the river experienced mini temporary camps made up of haulage trucks transporting goods in the North-South Corridor, which is the shortest route that joins SADC countries.
Some such trucks have sleeping compartments, and in preparation for their long stay in border queues, carry all the necessary tools from perishable food to cooking utensils.
There was never a single time where truck drivers who are mostly men, failed to attract people of the opposite sex, enticing them with whatever is in their possession including beverages and money.
The situation is worsened by prostitutes getting into the country illegally.
Speaking to this publication, the overwhelmed Kgosi Baniki thanked the governments of Botswana and Zambia, the SADC leaderships as well as partners such as JICA of Japan and the African Development Bank for ensuring that this project becomes a reality.
She added that as a tourist destination, her jurisdiction attracts all kinds of people from different parts of the world. Often times, this becomes a challenge for the area leadership who have to ensure safety at all times for both people and wildlife.
“Trucks parked for long in the area used to stretch our already limited resources in maintaining order”. Although they were always quick to bring perpetrators to book, there were times when crime committed including theft and fights caused by sex workers spiralled out of control.
Baniki said the opening of the bridge will see smooth transaction of business in that area and boost the economy.
She said with the current situation, “the law enforcements from each country will be able to quickly deal with investigations, complete cases and bring about a harmonious situation whenever the need arises”.