MORE than 107 000 people used Sadc’s busiest port of entry
and exit, Beitbridge Border Post between Sunday and Friday last week, a 1,6
percent increase from last year during the Easter holidays.
Zimbabweans are on a long holiday that started on Thursday
when the country celebrated its 39th Independence before Easter which started
on Friday and ends tomorrow. In an interview, the assistant regional
immigration officer-in-charge for Beitbridge, Mr Nqobile Ncube, said they
cleared 107 367 people between 14 and 19 April, while last year they handled
105 762 throughout the Easter Holidays. He said they anticipated the number of
travellers to increase further later from yesterday to tomorrow.
Sunday News understands that the volume of human and
vehicular traffic has been increasing in the last few months owing to a number
of border efficient strategies being implemented by authorities from both
Zimbabwe and South Africa.
“During the period 14 April and 19 April we cleared 63 974
entries and 43 393 exits. You will note that in 2018 we had a total of 59 400
entries and 46 362. We expect the numbers to increase even further as more
people are still coming in for the holidays. Though traffic has relatively been
increasing the situation on the ground is manageable.
“To improve on efficiency on the ground we are implementing
a harmonised border efficiency plan with all border agencies on the Zimbabwean
and South African components of the border.
Off and leave days have been suspended for the period 16
April to 5 May. In addition we have collapsed our four shifts into three. This
is to cater for all anticipated traffic from schools closure, Independence Day,
Easter Holidays and schools opening,” he said.
Mr Ncube said the extra officers from the collapsed shift
were covering identified vulnerable points and manning outside counters.
He said they had also intercepted 689 people within the
border and turned away 399 mainly illegal migrants, conmen, touts, dealers at
the north gate (entry to Zimbabwean border) for violating immigrations laws. He
said a further 192 travellers were refused entry into South Africa for various
reasons including documentation, overstaying, not stamping passports, among
others.
Mr Ncube said seven people were also refused entry into
Zimbabwe for either having no visas or no documents or stamping problems on
their passports.
“We are trying to deal with the high number of refusals
from South Africa. Ever since we implemented the gates lock down we are
experiencing a decline in Refusals from South Africa and an increase in arrests
at our check points. We hope the turned away figures will translate to less
touts, vendors and beggars within the border,” said Mr Ncube.
South Africa’s Home Affairs spokesperson Mr Thabo Mokgola
said in a statement last week that they had deployed 235 more immigration
officers to busy ports of entries including Beitbridge Border Post during the
Easter holidays. He said they had also extended operation hours at some busy
ports to minimise delays.
“An integrated operational plan for port operations will be
implemented from Tuesday, 16 April 2019. This operational plan aims to ensure
that services are delivered at Ports of Entry where only legitimate people and
goods are allowed to enter or depart the country.
“We aim for a secure port of entry where potential
violators are deterred, threats and inadmissible people, goods and conveyances
are intercepted, legitimate trade and travel are facilitated and operations and
outcomes are consistent.” Sunday News
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