Pretoria - A range of plans are in place on the part of all government departments and agencies responsible for managing operations at South Africa’s borders, says the Border Control Operational Coordinating Committee (BCOCC).
“Staffing numbers will be increased to ensure the smooth facilitation of travellers and goods, and border posts will be closely monitored to ensure that contingency plans can be speedily implemented wherever necessary to ease any backlogs,” said the committee in a statement on Tuesday.
It said crime prevention measures would also be intensified in a coordinated manner at all the key ports of entry by the relevant government departments and agencies. These operational activities will be monitored by the National Border Management Coordination Centre (NBMCC).
Easter is one of the busiest periods for South Africa’s border posts, with exceptionally high numbers of travellers crossing in a relatively short space of time.
According to BCOCCC, last year the Beit Bridge border post saw 496 282 arrivals and 406 032 departures over the Easter period. Over the same period, the Lebombo border post saw 352 324 arrivals and 304 682 departures.
The Beit Bridge border post will be operating 24 hours, the Lebombo border post will be operational 24 hours from 25 March to 14 April; Oshoek will operate 24 hours on 28 March only, otherwise it is open from 6am to midnight; Mahamba will operate from 7am to midnight on 28 March, otherwise it will be open from 7am to 10pm; Mananga will be operating from 7am to 8pm on 28 March, otherwise it will be open 7am to 6pm; Qacha’s Nek will operate from 7am to midnight from 27 to 29 March, otherwise it will be open between 7am to 8pm; Kopfontein will be operating from 6am to midnight and Groblersbrug will be operating 24 hours on 28 and 31 March and 1 April. Maseru and Fickburg border posts are 24 hour posts.
The Musina Showground and the Department of Transport Weight Bridge have also been designated as a Port of Entry from 23 to 29 March.
The clearance process will include all cross-border busses and taxis will be diverted into the Department of Transport Weight Bridge at Musina by the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies and vehicles will queue and be released under escort to the showground.
All normal border clearance processes will be conducted at the showground and all cleared vehicles and passengers will be escorted in convoy by SAPS and traffic officers to the Beit Bridge border post.
No additional formalities will be conducted at the border post once clearance is done at the Musina Showground, unless it is thought necessary to conduct further security checks. - SAnews.gov.za
