SA border management boss to visit Beitbridge

Thupeyo Muleya

Beitbridge Bureau

South Africa’s head of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato is set to visit the Beitbridge border post to oversee operations between Thursday and Sunday as the volume of south bound traffic peaks to mark the end of the festive season.

The border which is a nexus of trade and travel in Sadc has been handling nearly 20 000 travellers daily since December 10 an increase from the usual 13 000 during off peak periods.

It is a major link for travellers, importers and exporters from Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi, DRC, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

In a statement on Tuesday, the BMA said Dr Masiapato will be supported by Deputy Commissioner (BMA) Jane Thupana in facilitating the legitimate movement of goods and people.

“The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato will be in Beitbridge port of entry from 2 to 5 January 2025 to conduct law enforcement operations for the return leg of the Festive period,” said the BMA.

“Beitbridge port of entry has seen increased numbers of movement, and more are expected for the return leg. The Border Management Authority (BMA) is responsible for the execution of frontline border law enforcement functions related to immigration control; port health; access control; biosecurity; food safety and phyto-sanitary control; land border infrastructure development and maintenance; border information and risk management”.

Border officials on the Zimbabweans side said they expect South Africa bound traffic to surge from January 2 to January 10 as the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays wind up.

At the moment there is low key activity on both sides of the Beitbridge Border Post.