Border operating hours extended over holidays
To avoid the congestion associated with peak periods, the department has also deployed additional staff at targeted ports of entry.
TO ensure the smooth movement of people and goods in and out of South Africa during the peak festive season period, Home Affairs will be extending operating hours at the country’s busy borders and beefing up security.
“Operational hours will be extended for busy ports of entry, covering pre-festive season movements, the festive season period and the re-opening of schools, that is, from 6 December 2017 to 16 January 2018,” said the department in a statement on Thursday.
The Lebombo border in Mpumalanga will be operational 24 hours a day between 13 December and 8 January 2018. Oshoek will also be operational 24 hours between 21 and 25 December 2017.
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Van Rooyenshek in the Free State will be operational 24 hours a day between 22 and 23 December 2017, while Caledonspoort will be open 24 hours on 22 December.
To avoid the congestion associated with peak periods, the department has also deployed additional staff at targeted ports of entry.
“Learning from past experience, sound planning is critical as we are likely to experience an increase in traveller movements, which exerts additional strain on available resources at ports of entry while posing security risks and dynamics for South Africa and countries with which it shares borders. This makes it necessary to plan for and mitigate against illegal movements and other transgressions,” said the department.
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