The South African Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will increase border capacity at busy ports of entry from December 4 until January 13 to ensure easy movement of travellers over the festive season.

The operating hours of entry points with high volumes of travellers will be increased by between one and seven hours.

The department will deploy approximately 400 additional officials at selected ports to assist with immigration services and to offer technical support. Many of the officials will be deployed at the traditionally high-volume border posts such as Beit Bridge and Ficksburg.

Siya Qoza, Spokesperson of the Minister of Home Affairs, says the department wants travellers to enter and leave South Africa without hindrance in this peak period, and to do so in a manner that is legally permissible. “We implore all travellers leaving and entering South Africa to ensure all their travel documents are in order to avoid unnecessary delays at ports,” says Qoza.

The South African Police Services will put in place an additional 80 officials, and the SARS Customs Department is deploying an additional 86 customs officials at selected points of entry.

To view the extended hours at the Ports of Entry, click here.