By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Border Management Authority (BMA) has assured the public that the Beitbridge port of entry is prepared for the return of holidaymakers.
Speaking to the media on Friday, BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato assured the public that the Beitbridge port of entry was ready and prepared for the return of people who had gone to their country of origin during the December holidays.
Beitbridge serves as a vital entry point connecting South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Masiapato started the operations on Thursday by chairing a Port Management Committee meeting attended by various stakeholders, such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and South African Revenue Service (SARS), to consolidate and receive update reports on the return leg of the festive period plan.
The port has implemented clear demarcations for streamlined processing. Separate areas have been designated for small vehicles, public transport (buses and taxis) and trucks, with the latter handled under the leadership of SARS.
“I can indicate that inside the port, we have very clear demarcations that we have done, we have demarcated the areas where we are going to be processing all the small vehicles, people coming through public transport like buses and taxis, and we have also demarcated areas where we are going to be processing the trucks under the leadership of the colleagues from SARS,” the Commissioner said.
Masiapato reported that traffic has been light so far, with fewer than 2 000 travellers processed since New Year’s Day.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the BMA’s readiness to manage the anticipated surge in traffic, and maintain secure and efficient border operations during this busy travel period.
“We are ready to receive the numbers that will be coming through into the port. [From] yesterday and [up until now], the numbers are still very low, therefore, we are expecting the numbers to start escalating during the course of this afternoon, as well as tomorrow,” the Commissioner said.