The Sunday Mail
Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Holidaymakers continued to pour into the country this weekend with figures recorded at Beitbridge Border Post – the country’s busiest port of entry – so far eclipsing the total number of people processed during last year’s Easter holiday.
Beitbridge assistant regional immigration officer-in-charge of Mr Nqobile Ncube told The Sunday Mail they cleared 107 367 people between April 14 and April 19, which is 1 605 more than the 105 762 handled throughout the 2018 Easter holiday.
Of the total figure, about 64 000 were homebound.
The holiday season officially ends tomorrow.
Figures are expected of both vehicular and human traffic are expected to further increase this week.
Authorities in both Zimbabwe and South Africa have put in place measures to ensure the seamless flow of traffic between the two sister countries.
“During the period April 14 and April 19, we cleared a total of 63 974 entries and 43 393 exits. You will note that in 2018, we had a total of 59 400 entries and 46 362 exits,” said Mr Ncube.
“We expect the numbers to increase even further as more people are still coming in for the holidays. Though traffic has relatively been increasing, the situation on the ground is manageable.”
A harmonised border efficiency plan between all border agencies on the Zimbabwean and South African side, he said, has been implemented.
“Off and leave days have been suspended for the period April 16 to May 5. In addition, we have collapsed our four shifts into three.
“This is to cater for all anticipated traffic from schools closure, Independence Day, Easter Holidays and schools opening,” he said.
Extra officers from the collapsed shift were covering identified vulnerable points and manning outside counters.
Immigration authorities also intercepted 689 people within the border and turned away 399 mainly illegal migrants, conmen and touts at the north gate (entry to Zimbabwean border) for violating immigrations laws.
A further 192 travellers were refused entry into South Africa for various reasons, including irregular documents, overstaying, and not having stamped passports.
Conversely, seven people were also refused entry into Zimbabwe for various reasons.
“We are trying to deal with the high number of refusals from South Africa. Ever since we implemented the gates lockdown, we are experiencing a decline in refusals from South Africa and an increase in arrests at our check points.
“We hope the turned away figures will translate to less touts, vendors and beggars within the border,” said Mr Ncube.
South Africa’s Home Affairs spokesperson Mr Thabo Mokgola said in a statement last week they had deployed 235 more immigration officers to busy ports of entries such as Beitbridge Border Post during the Easter holidays.
They had also extended working hours at some posts to minimise delays.
“An integrated operational plan for port operations will be implemented from Tuesday, 16 April 2019.
“This operational plan aims to ensure that services are delivered at ports of entry where only legitimate people and goods are allowed to enter or depart the country.
“We aim for a secure port of entry where potential violators are deterred, threats and inadmissible people, goods and conveyances are intercepted, legitimate trade and travel are facilitated and operations and outcomes are consistent,” he said.
