The highest arrivals from the SA Development Community (SADC) region were from Lesotho at 758,519, followed by Zimbabwe (712,688), Mozambique (398,684), Swaziland (306,682) and Botswana (256,793). In the same period, OR Tambo International Airport was the leading port for all movements, with 1,569,100 recorded there. It was followed by Beitbridge at 1,215,845 and Lebombo at 936,415.
Chohan said that in preparation for the upcoming festive period, the information technology (IT) team at home affairs was conducting a clean-sweep operation to ensure that all IT equipment was in a good condition at all the ports to ensure optimal functioning.
“The team is also setting up overflow areas for processing of travellers in Maseru Bridge, Lebombo and Beitbridge, in order to cater for the volumes expected,” she said.
She said it was imperative that ports of entry were adequately prepared to facilitate traveller movement and to curb illegal movement and transgressions. Security dynamics and risks during peak periods include fraudulent documents, undocumented travellers and poor access control due to congested roads.
Chohan implored travellers leaving and entering SA to ensure that all their travel documents were in order to avoid unnecessary delays at ports. These include passports, visas, health certificates, permits for specified goods, plants and animals, vehicle insurance and bank-authorised cross-border documents for vehicles.