Beitbridge remains busiest land border

The Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe has remained the busiest land crossing in the region, processing more than 22 000 travellers in a single day at the height of the festive season return period.

South Africa's Border Management Authority (BMA) confirmed that 22 483 travellers were processed at the Beitbridge Port of Entry in Musina, Limpopo, on January 3, as pressure mounted on major ports of entry during the peak return phase of the holidays.

"Beitbridge continues to lead with high-volume land border movements, with more than 22 483 travellers processed on January 3 alone," the BMA said in a statement released yesterday.

The Authority attributed the elevated volumes largely to the simultaneous arrival of buses from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia, noting that processing was conducted in line with established border control protocols.

In response to long queues and extreme heat conditions, the BMA said priority was given to small children, older persons and other vulnerable travellers.

"Any traveller presenting signs of illness is assessed by BMA Port Health officials to prevent the importation of infectious and communicable diseases," the Authority said.

Meanwhile, border enforcement operations continued nationwide. In just two days, January 1 and 2, the BMA intercepted more than 546 undocumented travellers at ports of entry across the country. All intercepted individuals were processed in accordance with South Africa's immigration laws, with deportation procedures initiated.

BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato, who has been overseeing operations at Beitbridge, said the deployment of additional personnel and operational support was key to managing the surge in traveller volumes. He said multiple processing and interception points had been activated to ease congestion and strengthen enforcement.

Masiapato stressed that high volumes of movement should not be interpreted as a breakdown in border controls, but rather as an operational reality during peak travel periods.

"During these periods, daily interceptions continue to take place," he said. "While the Authority operates under limited resources, BMA officers remain fully deployed and vigilant. They are committed to defending the Republic's borders."

He added that daily interceptions, refusals of entry, confiscations and enforcement actions demonstrated that illegal movements were being decisively addressed.

Border operations, he said, are being supported through coordinated action with the South African National Defence Force and the South African Police Service, aimed at securing ports of entry and addressing vulnerabilities along the borderline.

The BMA has also intensified agricultural, food safety and biosecurity controls, intercepting prohibited and restricted agricultural and animal products that pose risks to food safety and national biosecurity.

The Authority said it remains resolute in its mandate to secure South Africa's borders and will continue to strengthen its operational posture within available resources in the interest of national security.