travellers to use alternate ports of entry into Mozambique
19 December 2007
The Border Control Operational Co-ordinating Committee (BCOCC) would like to
advise travellers of rising traffic volumes at South Africa's busiest land
border posts, particularly Lebombo, the preferred choice of port of entry into
Mozambique. High traffic volumes are normal for this time of year when hundreds
of resident workers return home for the holidays and usually entail long queues
at the border post.
Travellers to Mozambique are requested to use alternate entry points such as
through Mananga into Swaziland, onto Namaacha, about an hour's drive, before
heading for Maputo, about 25 kilometres. While this detour will mean going
through two border posts and add an hour to travel time, it is likely to save
several hours of waiting time at the congested Lebombo port of entry.
Those travellers arriving from KwaZulu-Natal should avoid Lebombo and use
the Golela entry point before passing through the Goba border post and entering
Maputo. Tourists driving off road vehicles may also use the Giriyondo entry
point and travel through the Kruger Park to enter Mozambique.
The BCOCC has put in place measures to manage congestion at border posts.
This includes extending hours of operation at priority ports; the deployment of
additional personnel and resources and a real time information service to
travellers and traders. The BCOCC pleads with travellers to co-operate in the
effort to reduce congestion and crime over the holiday season.
BCOCC information service:
* call centre on 0860 26 73 37 or 0860 border
* sms facility on 083 709 9444
* text the word 'border' followed by space and the name of the specific border
gate, eg. sms 'border' (space) 'Lebombo.'
* website: http://www.rsaborders.co.za
Extended hours of operation:
* Beit Bridge: 24 hours
* Lebombo: 24 hours
* Maseru Bridge: 24 hours
* Kopfontein: 06h00 to 22h00 (06h00 to 00h00 daily effective from 14 December
2007)
* Oshoek: 07h00 to 22h00 (07h00 to 00h00 only on 21, 22, 23 and 24 December
2007)
* Ramatlabama: 06h00 to 20h00 (06h00 to 22h00 daily effective from 14 December
2007)
* Skilpadshek: 06h00 to 22h00 (06h00 to 00h00 daily effective from 14 December
2007)
The following officials will be available for media enquiries:
* for South African Revenue Service (SARS) / BCOCC: Thumida Maistry,
Spokesperson on 082 210 8773
* for South African Police Service (SAPS): Captain Dennis Adriao on 082 828
5773
* for Home Affairs: Jacky Mashapu, Spokesperson on 082 885 8449
* for Public Works: Trodger Thebe, Spokesperson on 082 908 1850.
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
19 December 2007
Source: South African Revenue Service (http://www.sars.gov.za)
