By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato) has announced the deployment of an additional personnel to the busiest ports of entry across South Africa.
Masiapato held a media briefing to outline the festive season control measures at all ports of entry.
During the pre-COVID festive period of 2019/2020, the BMA processed 6.3 million people at the port of entry before the number decreased to about 1.6 million in the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 periods.
“However, in the 2022/2023 period, we recovered to above 4 million people. The recovery continued in 2023/2024 to above 5 million. We are expecting a full recovery to the pre-COVID level of more than 6 million people during the upcoming festive season,” said Masiapato.
The BMA will adjust operating hours at some of the key ports that do not operate on a 24-hour basis, and discussions have been held with neighboring countries, including Lesotho, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, to streamline border processes and coordinate work modalities for the festive period, Masiapato said.
“We will also deploy more staff at the busiest ports of entry to assist the delivery of services and provide technical support.”
He said the initiative comes as part of a comprehensive festive season campaign designed to minimise cross-border crime and enhance the efficiency of service delivery at these critical checkpoints.
Masiapato articulated the BMA’s commitment to ensuring secure and streamlined access for legitimate travellers and goods, stating: “Our focus will be the delivery of integrated, effective, and efficient processes at the ports of entry, where only legitimate people and goods will be allowed to enter and exit South Africa.”
The BMA has also made strides in capacity-building by planning the deployment of an additional 400 junior border guards by June 2024, which adds to the previously introduced 200 border guards.
This enhances the operational capacity of the BMA, providing vital resources needed to strengthen security and control at ports of entry.
According to BMA, South Africa has 71 ports of entry, of which 52 are land ports of entry, 10 international airports and nine seaports.