Crime prevention measures will be intensified in a coordinated manner at all the key ports of entries by Government agencies and institutions involved in crime prevention, North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Ms Desbo Mohono announced on Wednesday.
Although The North West Border Control Operating Coordinating Committee (BCOCC) has resolved that operational hours at all ports of entry will not be extended throughout the festive season but will operate at all normal, MEC Mohono is satisfied that measures and contingency plans put in place at Kopfontein, Ramatlabama and SkilpadsHek (Botswana), the busiest land ports in the North West Province will ensure that there is quick processing of travellers. The measures and contingency plans were agreed upon with neighbouring Botswana.
BCOCC Provincial Coordinator, Mthetho Bele says that human capacity at all the Provincial Ports of Entries will increase and officials from these institutions will convene daily joint sessions, closely monitoring the execution of the festive season plans and monitor the trends in the movement of goods and people.
Bele advises travellers that emergency passports will not be issued at the POE’s during the Festive Season and that passports are issued at Home Affairs offices at various towns/cities. No person including children will be allowed through the POE without a valid passport (at least one page of the passport should be unused).
He cautions travellers against handing their documents to anyone except officials with an identity and advises that no credit card facilities are available at all POE’s.
Travellers are further advised that no person is allowed to take firearms through to Botswana and that police officials at POE’s are no longer permitted to keep firearms for temporary storage.
For further clarity you may also contact Mthetho Bele on 083 294 2999.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 391 0140
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 0328
E-mail:LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Tight crime prevention measures but no extended hours at Ports of Entries during festive season
Province
