The Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner, Dr. Michael Masiapato, has assured both stakeholders and the public that the Beitbridge port of entry is fully prepared to handle the return of holidaymakers after the festive season. Speaking at the border on Friday, Masiapato emphasized that all necessary preparations are in place to manage the expected influx of travellers returning to South Africa from various parts of the African continent.

“As the BMA, along with all the stakeholders at the Beitbridge port of entry, we are more than ready to implement the return leg of our festive season plan,” said Masiapato. “We concluded the exit leg on 31 December 2024, and from 01 January 2025, we are prepared to begin receiving people returning to South Africa through Beitbridge.”

The Commissioner was at the Beitbridge port of entry from 2 to 4 January 2025 to oversee operations, supported by Deputy Commissioner Jane Thupana.

Beitbridge is the busiest land port in the country, and with the festive season ending, an uptick in traffic is expected. The port has already seen a steady flow of travellers, but the numbers are expected to rise sharply over the next few days.

Masiapato began the operations on Thursday by chairing a Port Management Committee meeting, which was attended by key stakeholders, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The purpose of the meeting was to consolidate efforts and receive updates on the return phase of the festive season plan.

To accommodate the expected surge in traffic, the port has introduced clear demarcations for streamlined processing. Separate areas have been designated for small vehicles, public transport (buses and taxis), and trucks, with the latter being managed under the leadership of SARS.

“We have clearly demarcated areas inside the port for the processing of small vehicles, buses, taxis, and trucks,” Masiapato explained, add that the processing of trucks is specifically handled in cooperation with SARS.

Although traffic at the port has been light thus far, with fewer than 2,000 travellers processed since by 3 January 2025, Masiapato anticipates a sharp increase in numbers starting Friday afternoon and continuing into the weekend.

“We are prepared to handle the surge in traffic as it starts to build up. So far, the numbers have been low, but we expect to see a significant escalation in the coming hours and tomorrow,” Masiapato stated.

In a joint effort with SAPS, the BMA is also on high alert for stolen or unauthorized vehicles attempting to cross the border. Strict verification processes are in place to ensure that only legitimate vehicles are allowed to enter South Africa.

• Financed vehicles: Vehicles that are financed must have an authorization letter from their financial institution permitting them to leave the country.
• Database checks: All vehicles are cross-referenced against SAPS databases to identify stolen or flagged vehicles using license plate information.
• Active monitoring: SAPS officers stationed along the corridor to the port are actively monitoring vehicle compliance and verifying the status of each vehicle.

“We are committed to ensuring that only legitimate vehicles are allowed to cross. Right now, along the corridor leading to the port, SAPS officers are actively assessing all vehicles to ensure they meet the required standards,” said Masiapato.

As South Africa prepares for a busy travel period, the BMA, along with other key stakeholders, is confident that the Beitbridge port of entry is ready to manage the anticipated influx of travellers. With clear processing protocols, heightened security measures, and a dedicated team overseeing operations, the BMA is determined to ensure a smooth and secure crossing for holidaymakers returning to South Africa.