Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, has assured stakeholders and the public that the Beitbridge port of entry is fully prepared for the return of holidaymakers.
Speaking at the border on Friday, Masiapato confirmed that preparations are in place to manage the influx of travellers returning to South Africa from other parts of the continent.
“As the BMA and the rest of the stakeholders that are here at the Beitbridge port of entry, we are very much ready to implement the return leg of… our plan for the festive season. On that basis, we can indicate that we did conclude the exit leg on the 31 December 2024 and from 01 January 2025, we are fairly ready to start receiving people that will be returning to South Africa coming from the rest of the continent through the Beitbridge border,” Masiapato said.
The Commissioner is at the Beitbridge port of entry from 2 to 4 January 2025 to conduct port operations. Masiapato is supported by Deputy Commissioner Jane Thupana.
The Beitbridge port of entry is the biggest land port and has seen increased numbers of movement, and more are expected for the return leg.
Masiapato started the operations on Thursday by chairing a Port Management Committee meeting attended by various stakeholders, such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and South African Revenue Service (SARS), to consolidate and receive update reports on the return leg of the festive period plan.
The port has implemented clear demarcations for streamlined processing. Separate areas have been designated for small vehicles, public transport (buses and taxis) and trucks, with the latter handled under the leadership of SARS.
“I can indicate that inside the port, we have very clear demarcations that we have done, we have demarcated the areas where we are going to be processing all the small vehicles, people coming through public transport like buses and taxis, and we have also demarcated areas where we are going to be processing the trucks under the leadership of the colleagues from SARS,” the Commissioner said.
Masiapato reported that traffic has been light so far, with fewer than 2 000 travellers processed since New Year's Day. However, he expects a significant increase in traffic starting this afternoon and continuing tomorrow.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the BMA's readiness to manage the anticipated surge in traffic, and maintain secure and efficient border operations during this busy travel period.
“We are ready to receive the numbers that will be coming through into the port. [From] yesterday and [up until now], the numbers are still very low. We have just been processing below 2 000, therefore, we are expecting the numbers to start escalating during the course of this afternoon, as well as tomorrow,” the Commissioner said.
High alert for vehicle interceptions
In collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the BMA is on high alert for stolen or unauthorised vehicles attempting to cross the border.
Masiapato outlined the strict verification processes in place, which are as follows:
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Financed vehicles must have authorisation letters from their financial institutions permitting their exit from the country.
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All vehicles are checked against SAPS databases to identify stolen or flagged vehicles using licence plate information.
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SAPS officers stationed along the corridor to the port are actively monitoring vehicles for compliance and verifying their status.
"We are committed to ensuring that only legitimate vehicles are allowed to cross. As we speak, now on the corridor towards the port, members of the SAPS are alert to make sure that all of those vehicles are assessed,” Masiapato said. – SAnews.gov.za
