The assessment comes in the wake of what is termed “a detailed study visit” by SADC Secretariat representatives on 24 and 25 July. Listed among the visit’s objectives were implementation of the co-ordinated border management (CBM) concept, progress on implementation of the one-stop border post (OSBP) concept and transit procedure efficiency. It further included evaluation of time required for release of goods and the state of ICT (information and communication technology) connectivity at the border and with neighbouring Zimbabwe.

The SADC team, a statement reads in part, observed a strategic reduction in the number of border agencies operating at Beitbridge. This fits with South Africa “currently implementing [its] Border Management Authority (BMA)”. The authority comprises immigration, agriculture, law enforcement and port health. “BMA is an advanced stage of CBM concept and was established in South Africa in 2020 starting operations in 2023.” The BMA has co-ordination mechanisms with SA Revenue Service (SARS), SA Police Service (SAPS) and SA National Defence Force (SANDF). Implementation protocols are also in place to for BMA to work with other stakeholder including Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA) and the SA national Department of Transport (DOT).

“The number of border agencies were therefore streamlined through the BMA,” the statement notes.

Beitbridge is “currently benefiting from some renovation to be more effective and efficient for facilitating trade and eventually implementing other trade facilitation concepts in line with the SADC regional integration agenda”.

Progress to date on trade facilitation at Beitbridge led the SADC delegation to “consider implementation of the OSBP concept expeditiously” as one leg of improving ease of doing business and increasing intra-SADC trade.

The post Beitbridge trade efficiency praised by SADC appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

“We are pleased to announce that the floodwaters have now subsided, allowing for an assessment of the port infrastructure,” Masiapato said.

Masiapato said a thorough inspection was conducted by experts from various engineering disciplines to determine the extent of the damage caused by the flooding.

According to Masiapato, following the assessment conducted at the port of entry, a comprehensive project plan has been developed to address the necessary repairs and ensure the port’s readiness for operational resumption.

The key activities in the project plan include the repairing of identified damages to the port infrastructure. Water quality tests will also need to be conducted to ensure the environment is safe for operations.

Masiapato said water underground will need to be allowed to be completely dry in order to carry the weight of the cargo trucks that pass through the port.

“It is anticipated that the repair and restoration process will take approximately six days to complete.

“Upon completion of these activities, the Groblers Bridge port of entry will be fully operational, resuming its critical role in facilitating cross-border movement and trade between South Africa and Botswana,” Masiapato said.

The BMA remains committed to ensuring the safety and functionality of all ports of entry, recognising their importance in enabling economic activity and connectivity.

Masiapato said the BMA is in continuous engagement with its counterparts in Botswana at all times on these matters and further updates will be provided as progress is made.

The post Operations at Groblers Bridge temporarily suspended appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

The post BMA health inspectors geared for mpox screening appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Members of the Limpopo South African Police Service Provincial Anti-Smuggling Task Team and Capricorn District Flying Squad received a tip-off that two vehicles were going to be smuggled out of the country via the Beitbridge Port of Entry.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the team swiftly responded, and two vehicles, a grey Toyota Fortuner 2.8 and a white Toyota Hilux Gd6 double cab, were spotted along the R71 from Boyne, in Mankweng policing area towards the direction of Polokwane.

“The members stopped the two vehicles and upon searching them, the drivers failed to produce the valid documents of the vehicles. Both vehicles were fitted with false registration number plates and false license discs. The suspects were immediately arrested.”

Preliminary police investigations revealed that the Toyota Fortuner valued at R900000 was reported stolen at Muldersdrift, in Gauteng on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Toyota Hilux double cab valued at R700000 was reported stolen in Brooklyn Pretoria also on Saturday.

“The two suspects, aged 33 and 32, were arrested for possession of presumed stolen motor vehicles,” said Ledwaba.

The pair were expected to appear in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The post Two arrested for possession of stolen vehicles destined for Zimbabwe appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Read more here.

The post Anti-illegal mining ops net over four thousand suspects appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

The officials were offered R200000 and R50000 after a truck loaded with 614 boxes of semi-manufactured tobacco to the value of R6 million entered South Africa via Beitbridge port of entry. 

“These upright officials demonstrated honesty and bravery as well as an important trait of serving with integrity and ethical conduct, something that must be applauded.

“Their ethical conduct also augurs well towards the professionalisation of the public service and should serve as a lesson to all public servants to give their selfless service to the people of this country,” said the commission in a statement.

The Musina Regional Court last week sentenced Nthapeleng Adler Munyai, a former Pamdozi Cargo International CC clearing agent, and Tsumbedzo Priscilla Nemangani Mashito, who used to work as a SARS customs external verification officer, to an effective 15-year direct imprisonment term on counts of fraud, forgery, and two counts of corruption.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Munyai and Mashito, who are both 47 years old, were arrested for permitting an interlink truck with two trailers loaded with semi-manufactured tobacco to enter the country from Zimbabwe in 2016.   

The pair used forged and fraudulent consignment clearance documents and processed them through the Beitbridge border control’s customs control area without compliance with the normal customs clearance process and procedures. 

However, an RTMC officer stopped the truck at the weighbridge after noticing that the registration plates of the truck and trailers did not match with the licence discs and wanted to send the truck back to the customs control area for an inspection.

The RTMC officer then contacted his senior who was off duty and asked for his intervention which resulted in the truck being sent back to the Beitbridge border control’s customs ramp, under police and traffic officials’ escort for inspection. 

However, Munyai offered a customs official R50 000 – which was later increased to R200 000 – which they turned down. 

According to PSC, the officials demonstrated a high standard of professional ethics.

The commission encouraged all public servants across the country to uphold the constitutional values and principles, which calls for professional ethics and accountability.

The post Commission applauds border officials who refused bribe  appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Read more here

The post Border protection tasking sees soldiers confiscate contraband, return livestock and nab illegals appeared first on ProtectionWeb.