Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya , Beitbridge Bureau
WITH Easter just around the corner, South Africa is taking no chances! The Rainbow Nation has deployed its top border bosses to Beitbridge Port of Entry, one of Africa’s busiest crossings, to keep things moving as traffic surges to a jaw-dropping 35 000 travellers per day—up from the usual 15 000!
The Border Management Authority (BMA) is pulling out all the stops to avoid chaos at the border. SA’s Deputy Commissioner Jane Thupana will be boots-on-the-ground at Beitbridge from April 16 to 17, while Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato will monitor the madness at Lebombo border with Mozambique from April 15 to 18—before shifting to Beitbridge from April 20 to 22 for the Easter return stampede.
“Commissioner Masiapato will be on the ground to monitor the accelerated security control measures at the Lebombo port of entry before the Easter holidays,” said the BMA.
It’s not just suits and boots—drones and bodycams are part of the high-tech arsenal being deployed to tighten security and curb shady dealings.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is also stepping up! The Department of Immigration has introduced automated e-gates for biometric passport holders at all three Beitbridge terminals. This means travellers can now breeze through by simply scanning their e-passports, reducing long queues and face-to-face delays that often fuel corruption.
“The idea is to reduce the human interface that often facilitates rent-seeking activities,” said a border official.
Beitbridge remains a critical gateway linking Zimbabwe to South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, and the DRC. And with Easter being a peak migration period, all eyes are on the border as authorities race to keep the chaos in check!
