Over the past decade Beitbridge border post has become a nightmare to cross – especially during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Some Zimbabweans have opted for the Lebombo border post, which goes via Mozambique, while others have gone via Botswana to avoid the congestion. Mkuseli Apleni, the Department of Home Affairs’ Director-general, said new measures to handle the pressure would begin on December 15 and remain till February next year.
“The plans include additional capacity, deployment of over 300 staff members and extension of working hours, with some borders operating for 24 hours and others increasing their operation hours to midnight,” said Apleni. “Special arrangements will be made to process trucks and buses some few kilometers away from the Lebombo border, which sees over 3, 000 migrant workers crossing, especially just before Christmas and after the New Year.”
The plans would be carried out jointly with the South Africa Police Services, the South African Revenue Services and in collaboration with counterparts from countries that share borders with South Africa.