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Border authorities expect traffic to intensify during the Easter weekend, particularly among Mozambican nationals who were unable to return home during the December holidays.
Trucks queue on the N4 Highway at the Lebombo border post in Komatipoort, Mpumalanga. Picture: Gallo Images/Deon Raath
The Border Management Authority (BMA) is prepared for an estimated 22 000 people crossing through the Lebombo Border Post during the Easter holidays, according to BMA Commissioner Dr Mike Masiapato.
In anticipation of increased traffic, the authority has implemented enhanced security measures, including the deployment of drones and body cameras.
Speaking to the media on Thursday morning, Masiapato reported that border operations were progressing smoothly, with approximately 16 400 people processed the previous day.
“Around 8 400 were actually entering the country [South Africa]. And around 8 000 were actually exiting the country,” Masiapato said.
He added that they had also efficiently managed cargo transportation, processing about 1 681 trucks in the past 24 hours without significant delays.
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The BMA has significantly improved processing efficiency, particularly regarding cargo transportation.
Masiapato explained the implementation of a bypass system that has streamlined operations.
“We basically have created this bypass where we have collocated between the immigration officers as well as the customs officers,” Masiapato told the SABC.
“The trucks no longer have to stop inside the port per se, where people will have to get out of the truck, go to an office to be processed for customs and immigration.”
Masiapato said this innovation has significantly reduced queues at the border post.
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Border authorities expect traffic to intensify during the Easter weekend, particularly among Mozambican nationals who were unable to return home during the December holidays due to political tensions in Mozambique.
On average, Lebombo processes around 13 000 people on a daily basis. In terms of cargo, we process between 1 500 to 2 000 trucks per day.”
To manage the anticipated increase in crossings, the BMA plans to activate additional processing capabilities.
“We are also intending to activate Kilometre 7 tomorrow [Thursday] at 2pm where we are going to collocate with the Mozambicans in Kilometre 7 and make sure that we process people to exit South Africa and enter Mozambique from Kilometre 7,” Masiapato said.
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In a significant advancement for border security, Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber unveiled new technological tools last week, on 10 April.
The minister launched four advanced unmanned aerial vehicles and 40 body-worn cameras to be deployed during the Easter weekend.
The drones feature sophisticated capabilities, including thermal detection technology powered by artificial intelligence.
Masiapato confirmed that these drones had already been deployed before the Easter weekend.
They can identify and track heat sources, moving people, or vehicles, and operate at speeds up to 43km/h.
The commissioner said the drones specifically target vulnerable areas on the ground, particularly in the mountains, to see whether there is any suspicious activity.
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