Increase in traveller numbers expected at SA borders

High traveller traffic volumes have been recorded across all the major border posts in South Africa since the beginning of the  festive season. The Department of Home Affairs said senior managers will remain at border posts to facilitate decision making which will enable travellers to transit quicker. They appeal to travellers to carry the correct travel documents, which should be legible, when they travel. More than 200 000 traveller movements were recorded at the Beit Bridge Border Post since the beginning of December. This number is expected to increase with the approaching the New Year period. The announcement was made by Home Affairs Minister Dr Siyabonga Cwele, who concluded a successful monitoring visit last week to the border post between Musina in Limpopo and Zimbabwe. Beit Bridge is the country’s busiest land port and most of the departmental staff has been deployed to manage the expected increases in traveller movements at the border post. Minister Cwele was accompanied by Musina Mayor Cllr Mihloti Muhlophe, Musina Speaker Cllr Gilbert Netshisaulu, Musina Chief Whip Cllr Fistos Mafela and other senior leaders. The Minister and his delegation were briefed by Home Affairs, SA Revenue Service, SA Police Service, Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Health, Department of Transport, Cross Border Road Transport Agency and the Road Traffic Management Corporation. ‘I am happy with the operations I saw today at Beit Bridge and I’m confident that the measures we have put in place will assist to ease travel for visitors using this port. ‘We don’t want people to spend a lot of time here at the border whether they are departing or arriving,’ said Minister Cwele. He said he was pleased with the cooperation amongst the different State agencies operating at the port. ‘We’ll continue to have increased capacity at this and all our other border posts until 09 January 2019. ‘We appeal to travellers to ensure that they have all the relevant supporting documents which should be legible and recently certified,’ said Cwele. He will visit other ports of entry during this peak period to monitor service delivery and interact with visitors. ‘One of the biggest task of Home Affairs is to facilitate ease of travel at our ports of entry. This has a big impact on tourism, trade and investment. ‘This could ultimately improve economic growth.’ HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 072 069 4169 Instagram – zululand_observer

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