News / National
Plumtree Border Post starts operating 24 hours a day
1 hr ago |
70 Views
Plumtree Border Post has begun operating 24 hours a day to accommodate increased traffic as Zimbabweans return home for the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The Immigration Department has also introduced an Online Border Management System (OBMS) at Plumtree, allowing visitors to complete immigration information from home. For travellers without internet access, the department provides internet-linked tablets at the border for on-site completion. The system aims to speed up processing, enhance Zimbabwe's image, and improve ease of doing business.
Head of Immigration for the Western Region, Mrs Memory Mugwagwa, said the OBMS would eventually be rolled out at other border posts in the region, including Maitengwe, Mphoengs, and Mlambaphele. "To ensure decongestion and seamless movement, Plumtree Border Post will operate on a 24-hour basis from December 21 to 24, 2025, and January 3 to 5, 2026," she said, noting that staff levels had been increased and leave temporarily suspended to manage the peak period.
Plumtree, which links Zimbabwe to Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, has seen arrivals peak at 21,254 between December 10 and 19, with 12,889 processed on the exit side. This compares to 17,958 arrivals and 10,100 departures during the same period last year.
"The Online Platform has reduced the turnaround time for traveller clearance from three minutes to just seconds," Mrs Mugwagwa said. She encouraged visitors to use the online system to apply for visas and complete immigration declaration forms via the Zimbabwe Immigration website.
At ports of entry, kiosks and smart devices have been installed to allow foreign nationals to complete immigration forms efficiently. The OBMS rollout at other stations, including Mphoengs, Mlambaphele, and Maitengwe, is ongoing, with finalisation of office structures, cubicles, and roofing underway.
Mphoengs Border Post has also recorded increased traffic, with 2,924 entries between December 10 and 19, compared to 1,798 during the same period last year, while 887 people exited compared to 1,227 previously.
The 24-hour operation and digital system are expected to ease congestion, speed up border processes, and improve Zimbabwe's connectivity with regional neighbours during the festive season.
The Immigration Department has also introduced an Online Border Management System (OBMS) at Plumtree, allowing visitors to complete immigration information from home. For travellers without internet access, the department provides internet-linked tablets at the border for on-site completion. The system aims to speed up processing, enhance Zimbabwe's image, and improve ease of doing business.
Head of Immigration for the Western Region, Mrs Memory Mugwagwa, said the OBMS would eventually be rolled out at other border posts in the region, including Maitengwe, Mphoengs, and Mlambaphele. "To ensure decongestion and seamless movement, Plumtree Border Post will operate on a 24-hour basis from December 21 to 24, 2025, and January 3 to 5, 2026," she said, noting that staff levels had been increased and leave temporarily suspended to manage the peak period.
Plumtree, which links Zimbabwe to Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, has seen arrivals peak at 21,254 between December 10 and 19, with 12,889 processed on the exit side. This compares to 17,958 arrivals and 10,100 departures during the same period last year.
"The Online Platform has reduced the turnaround time for traveller clearance from three minutes to just seconds," Mrs Mugwagwa said. She encouraged visitors to use the online system to apply for visas and complete immigration declaration forms via the Zimbabwe Immigration website.
At ports of entry, kiosks and smart devices have been installed to allow foreign nationals to complete immigration forms efficiently. The OBMS rollout at other stations, including Mphoengs, Mlambaphele, and Maitengwe, is ongoing, with finalisation of office structures, cubicles, and roofing underway.
Mphoengs Border Post has also recorded increased traffic, with 2,924 entries between December 10 and 19, compared to 1,798 during the same period last year, while 887 people exited compared to 1,227 previously.
The 24-hour operation and digital system are expected to ease congestion, speed up border processes, and improve Zimbabwe's connectivity with regional neighbours during the festive season.
Source - The Chronicle
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
