11 December 2006
The South African government can today announce important measures to
prevent possible congestion at the country's busiest land border posts over the
festive season period.
These steps will be implemented through inter-governmental co-operation
between a number of national, provincial and local government departments and
state agencies in the various provinces. The operational functions of these
institutions are being aligned and co-ordinated through the Border Control
Operational Co-ordinating Committee (BCOCC).
The BCOCC is an affiliated structure of the Justice Crime Prevention and
Security Cluster and was mandated in 2005 to strategically manage the South
African border environment in a co-ordinated manner. The challenges relating to
border control and security increase over the festive season due to higher
volumes of cross border trade and the migration of large numbers of individuals
both to and from neighbouring states.
The BCOCC has the mandate to ensure that the measures taken to address the
challenges around border security and congestion also recognise and incorporate
the strategic national objectives to facilitate legitimate trade, the promotion
of tourism and the important contribution of these sectors to economic
development in South Africa and in the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) region.
The following government institutions are involved in the Border Control and
Security Framework: the national Departments of Home Affairs, Intelligence,
Transport, Public Works, Agriculture, Health and Defence, as well as the South
African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African Revenue Service (SARS). As
of today senior officials from these institutions will convene daily planning
sessions at a national Joint Operations Centre to monitor the trends in the
movement of goods and people and, if necessary, employ contingency plans at the
busiest land border posts in the country.
Information services available to travellers and traders
A call centre has been established to provide a real time information
service to travellers and traders. For accurate, timely information on border
post operations:
* contact the Call Centre on 0860 26 73 37 or 0860 Border
* SMS facility is available at 083 709 9444. Text the word "border" followed by
a space and then the name of the border gate you wish to receive information
on. Example: SMS "border" (space) "lebombo."
* Go to the website on www.rsaborders.co.za
Members of the public are also encouraged to access the following
information to plan for transit across the South African borders on the
website:
* operating hours of the port of entry
* location of the port of entry
* port of entry contact details
* port of entry classification in terms of commercial or non-commercial
port
* current queuing/waiting time (to be updated at specified intervals)
* travel documents required (i.e. passports, vehicle registration papers,
etc.)
* cost of transit through ports to neighbouring countries (e.g. third party
insurances, etc.)
* passport and visa requirements.
The webpage and information database will be updated regularly to ensure
that the details provided to the public reflect the current operating scenario
at the ports of entry accurately. The call centre will contact the major ports
of entry at specified intervals in order to establish current queuing/waiting
periods.
Extended hours of operation:
The busiest border posts will employ additional personnel and will have
extended hours of operation. Information on hours of operation will be
available on the website, the call centre and through the SMS service.
* Beit Bridge: 24 hours
* Lebombo: 24 hours
* Maseru Bridge: 24 hours
* Kopfontein: 06h00 to 24h00 daily (unless otherwise indicated through the
information services on specific days)
* Oshoek: 07h00 to 22h00 (unless otherwise indicated through the information
services on specific days)
* Ramatlabama: 06h00 to 22h00 (unless otherwise indicated through the
information services on specific days)
* Skilpadshek: 06h00 to 24h00 (unless otherwise indicated through the
information services on specific days).
These steps are part of government's public service delivery improvement
programme and will be operational throughout the festive season period between
30 November 2006 and 31 January 2007.
Officials from the Department of Home Affairs and South African Revenue
Service (SARS) will conduct their respective immigration and customs functions
during these times. SAPS have already increased its force levels at the various
border posts to ensure that orderly cross-border movement takes place. A policy
of zero tolerance will be enforced by the SAPS and special focus will be given
to organised crime, stolen vehicles, illegal firearms and drugs.
Enquiries:
Adrian Lackay
South African Revenue Service's spokesperson
Cell: 083 388 2580
Captain Dennis Adriao
South African Police Service's spokesperson
Cell: 082 828 5773
Jacky Mashapu
Home Affair's spokesperson
Cell: 082 855 8449
Trodger Thebe
Public Work's spokesperson
Cell: 082 908 1850
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
11 December 2006
