Travellers South Africa
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Over 5 Million Travellers Crossed South Africa’s Borders Over Festive Season

PRETORIA – Over 5.5 million people (5,504,022 to be exact) travelled across South Africa’s borders between 9 December 2016 and 14 January 2017, says Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba. This marks an increase of 200,467 movements, or 3.78 percent, at the ports of entry nationally when compared to the 5,303,555 recorded during the same period […]

By SAPeople
19-01-17 01:29
in Fab South African Stuff
Travellers South Africa
Photo: Pixabay

PRETORIA – Over 5.5 million people (5,504,022 to be exact) travelled across South Africa’s borders between 9 December 2016 and 14 January 2017, says Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba.

This marks an increase of 200,467 movements, or 3.78 percent, at the ports of entry nationally when compared to the 5,303,555 recorded during the same period last year.

“The 2016/17 festive season was marked by increased movement of people and goods across borders for different reasons, varying from cross-border employment and business to academic and educational endeavours.

“We also observed a high number of travellers crossing borders for holiday and tourist purposes, which is one of the important priorities for the country,” said the Minister at a media briefing in Pretoria on Wednesday.

Minister Gigaba said South Africa remains an attractive tourist destination.

The top 10 nationalities that arrived in South Africa during the period were from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, United Kingdom, United States, Namibia, Germany and Zambia.

The top 10 ports of entry used by travellers between 9 December 2016 and 14 January 2017 were Oliver Tambo International Airport, Beit Bridge, Lebombo, Maseru Bridge, Ficksburg, Cape Town International Airport, Oshoek, Kopfontein, Ramatlabama and Groblers Bridge.

All movements for OR Tambo for the same period reached a total of 977,961, compared to 948,477 during 9 December 2015 to 14 January 2016.

Minister Gigaba said it was imperative for ports to be well-prepared at all times to facilitate smooth traveller movement and to mitigate illegal movements… and that to this end additional personnel had been deployed at OR Tambo during the festive season. 

He also said that additional resources should be on a permanent basis at the airport which serves as such a strategic hub for South Africa.

In this regard, R25 million has been allocated for the 2017/18 financial year to enable the department to appoint an additional 58 immigration officials and fully capacitate the management team.

A further increase in staff capacity is planned for the 2018/19 financial year with an additional budget allocation of R17 million. – SAnews.gov.za

Minister Gigaba at OR Tambo Airport at the start of the festive season: