BMA to extend operating hours at border posts
Around one million people are expected to travel across South African border over Easter period.
This is one of the busiest periods at the country’s border posts, with exceptionally high numbers of travellers crossing in a relatively short space of time.
Commissioner at the Border Management Agency Mike Masiapato said at a media briefing operating hours at some of the country's border posts will be extended.
He adds the number of people who are expected to travel could escalate due to the ZCC's first annual Easter pilgrimage to Moria since the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Ahead of this Easter period we have engaged our counterparts in Lesotho, eSwatini, Zimbabwe as well as Botswana and agreed on extending operating hours at various critical ports which are not operating on a 24-hour-basis” he said.
"Statistics for the 2023 Easter period showed that the ports of entry which facilitated the majority of people were Beitbridge to Zimbabwe, Lebombo into Mozambique, Groblersbridge into Botswana, Maseru and Ficksburg bridge into Lesotho, OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airport, Oshoek into eSwatini and Kopfontein to Botswana as well as Caledonspoort to Lesotho".
Masiapato sent a stern warning to travellers and officials who attempt to facilitate illegal movement of persons and goods.
“Any offenders will be caught and harshly punished” he said.
"We have reinforced our deployment in order to improve our detection rate for illicit goods, narcotics including cigarettes contra bands, the issue of livestock across our land ports as well as stolen vehicles, which remains a concern for the BMA" said Masiapato.
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