Pretoria - Traveller volumes in all South African ports of entry including air, land and sea ports have increased by 11 percent since the beginning of the festive season.
This was revealed by Home Affairs' Movement Control System (MCS), which monitors the movement of South African nationals and visitors in and out of the country.
Total traveller movements recorded on the MCS from 1 to 23 December were 2 650 090 (1 794 950 foreigners and 855 140 South Africans) compared to 2 387 613 (foreigners 1 643 134 and 744 479 South Africans) in the same period last year.
This represents an increase of 11 percent in traveller volumes in and out of the country.
In anticipation of increased traveller volumes in the week ahead and with the aim of ensuring the smooth transit of South African and foreign nationals, the department has also increased its human resource capacity by 198 officials at six key land ports of entry including Beit Bridge, Lebombo, Ficksburg, Maseru, Oshoek and Kopfontein, as well as all airports.
No hiccups have been reported by the department.
Due to continuous monitoring through its 24-hour operational centre in Pretoria, Home Affairs has been able to rotate capacity and resolve challenges at short notice at ports of entry with high traveller volumes.
