14 April 2022

Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has approved a temporary extension of operating times at the busiest Ports of Entry by between two and six hours from yesterday, Wednesday, 13 April to Wednesday 20 April 2021 to deal with anticipated high volumes.

The decision means that the Mahamba Port of Entry between SA and Eswatini will operate for an additional two hours from 07:00 to 00:00, instead of 07:00 to 22:00, today, 14 April 2022.

The Caledonspoort Port of Entry with Lesotho will operate for an additional two hours from 06:00 to 00:00, instead of 06:00 to 22:00, on 14 and 18 April 2022.

The Van Rooyensgate Port of Entry with Lesotho will operate for an additional two hours from 06:00 to 00:00, instead of 06:00 to 22:00, on 14 April 2022.

Kosibay with Mozambique will operate for an extra three hours, opening an hour earlier and closing two hours later. Kosibay will now operate from 07:00 to 19:00 compared to the usual times of 08:00 to 17:00, until 20 April 2022.

Lebombo with Mozambique started operating for an additional six hours, making it to operate for 24 hours, compared to its current 06:00 to 00:00 operating period. This port will continue operating for 24 hours beyond the Easter period. The main benefit of this development is that truck congestion should ease.

Lebombo joins other busy ports that operate for 24 hours that include Oshoek with Eswatini which started its 24 hour operations on 10 December 2021.

Beit Bridge with Zimbabwe and Ficksburg and Maseru Bridge with Lesotho are already operating for 24 hours.

The operating hours have been agreed to with affected neighbouring countries.

“We are increasing the capacity at the Ports of Entry to make it easier for border crossers to get to their destinations faster and to facilitate trade in the region. We encourage travellers to plan their journey such that they have sufficient time to clear the border and arrive in their destinations safely. We also urge them to ensure that they have valid and correct travel documents. They must resist the temptation to bribe their way through the ports,” said Minister Motsoaledi.

These hours will be adjusted by the Minister should a need arise.

The extension of operating hours is part of the coordinating efforts of the Border Management Authority (BMA) to make it easier for travellers to cross through the Ports of Entry, minimise vehicle congestion at the ports and limit illegal border crossing of people and goods and human trafficking along the borderline.

The BMA will deploy members of the Home Affairs law enforcement unit called The Inspectorate at identified vulnerable areas along the borderline to direct people wanting to enter or leave South Africa to the nearest Ports of Entry.

It is also working with the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure and Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structures to monitor activities in and around the border.

The BMA is also working with the National and Provincial Departments of Transport, municipalities hosting ports of entry and the private sector, such as trucking companies, to manage the flow of traffic into the ports.

Senior managers led by Home Affairs Director-General Mr Tommy Makhode and BMA Commissioner Dr Mike Masiapato are visiting the busiest Ports of Entry.

Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will be in Beit Bridge and Deputy Minister Mr Njabulo Nzuza in Maseru Bridge on Monday, 18 April 2022.

Enquiries:

Siya Qoza, ‪082 898 1657 (spokesperson for the Minister of Home Affairs)
David Hlabane, ‪071 342 4284 (media manager for the Department of Home Affairs)


ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS