BMA to extend border operating hours during festive season
The Border Management Authority (BMA) says it will be extending operating hours at the country’s busiest ports over the festive season.
Six million people are expected to move through the country's different borders during December and January.
The BMA says it has had several engagements with neighbouring Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, eSwatini and Botswana on the synchronisation of opening and closing times during this period.
The agency’s commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, briefed members of the media on their festive season plans in Pretoria on Sunday.
“Whilst some of our busiest ports already operate on a 24-hour basis, the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has already approved our request to extend the operating hours on other identified critical ports for certain dates after we agreed with our respective neighbouring countries.”
An additional 380 personnel will be deployed at selected busiest ports of entry.
Masiapato said measures are in place to mitigate the impact of load shedding.
“In addition, generators with the appropriate uninterrupted power system are well serviced ready to provide required energy during instances of load shedding. We have also deployed additional IT support teams to various ports to immediately address any kind of system glitches experienced on the ground.
Operating hours will be extended at the following ports:
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