South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) says it has processed more than 25 000 travellers heading to Mozambique through the Lebombo Port of Entry in Mpumalanga since the start of the festive season.
The BMA says it has been processing an average of about 1 400 trucks per day. However, operations slowed over the weekend due to a sharp increase in ordinary travellers crossing the border.
BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato says officials are working closely with Mozambican authorities to ensure smoother and faster processing as traffic volumes rise.
“We are doing our best to make sure that we are able to process all of the people that are coming through the ports,” Masiapato said.
He added that volumes have remained consistently high in recent days.
“Just the day before yesterday, we processed over 25 000 individuals crossing from South Africa into Mozambique. Yesterday again, we averaged around 25 000,” he said.
Masiapato warned that traffic is expected to intensify as Christmas approaches, particularly on December 24. “There’s a lot of people coming through, and of course it’s going to get more hectic,” he said.
To manage the increased flow, the BMA has deployed additional personnel and adjusted operations to cater for different categories of travellers.
“We’ve brought in additional staff to process pedestrians, as well as those in small vehicles and people using public transportation,” Masiapato said.
Authorities continue to urge travellers to plan ahead and allow extra time when crossing the border during the peak festive period.
–ChannelAfrica–
