Botswana’s Minister of Transport and Public Works, Eric Molale says the country continues to experience trans-boundary crime such as illicit drug trafficking, human trafficking and wildlife crime on the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC).
Molale was speaking during a cycling event for the TKC, in Lobatse, Botswana on Wednesday. The cycling event forms part of a series of activities planned for the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the TKC memorandum of understanding between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. Molale also signed a recommitment pledge, that includes amongst others, the integration and seamless movement of persons and goods on the corridor.
South Africa’s Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga also signed the pledge. Namibia’s Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa is also set to sign the pledge.
A total 30 cyclists from the three countries collectively are racing from Rustenburg, South Africa, via Lobatse, to Walvis Bay, Namibia. The event started on Tuesday and will end on 29 Apr
il 2024.
The event, hosted under the theme ‘Transforming the TKC into an economic corridor’ is aimed at promoting the corridor and economically developing it to benefit communities that live along the corridor.
According to Molale, the three TKC member states also continue to experience the illegal transportation of hazardous goods. He has since called on law enforcement officials to be more vigilant and ensure that the users of the corridor are compliant.
‘The message is therefore clear, we need an economic corridor that is safe, secure, efficient and that benefits communities along it. The business communities or those aspiring to venture into businesses should consider the TKC. The secretariat stands ready to assist as a study has already been conducted to identify where the devices may be established,’ Molale added.
He further maintained that the cyclists will promote safety and security along the corridor, to complement the joint law enforcement operations that the member states regularly conduct.
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A safe corridor will attract any users which will benefit the economies of our countries and the SADC region,’ Molale stressed.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency