Over 4 million travelers processed by Home Affairs at national ports of entry between 01December 201
01-Jan-2014 Over 4 million travelers processed by Home Affairs at national ports of entry between 01December 2013 - 01 January 2014
The Home Affairs Department working together with other relevant state agencies in the border areas has facilitated the smooth movement of over 4 million travellers, thus far, in and out of South Africa in all national ports of entry during the period 01 December 2013 to 01 January 2014.
In this regard, a total of 4 227 483 travellers into and out of the country were recorded on South Africa's Movement Control System, extended to all national ports of entry-land, sea and airports of our country and operated by the Home Affairs Department. Of this total, 1 99 2414 represented arrivals while 2 23 5069 constituted departures during the same period.
The top SADC destinations which recorded the highest traveller movements are: Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. On the other hand the top country destinations outside the SADC region include the UK, USA, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, France, India, Peoples Republic of China, Nigeria, Sweden and Canada
The top ten ports of entry which recorded the highest numbers of traveller movements remain OR Tambo International Airport, Beitbridge, Lebombo, Maseru Bridge, Ficksburg, Oshoek, Cape Town International Airport, Kopfontein, Ramatlabama and Golela.
The processing of over 4 million travellers through our national ports of entry was made much more efficient and effective through co-operation with such state agencies as SARS, SANDF, SAPS, local Metro police, Agriculture, Health including the deployment of more immigration officials and an increase in operational hours for all ports of entry during the festive season to date.
These current measures being deployed in all ports of entry will remain in place for multitudes of travellers expected to return to South Africa following the festive season and anticipated from 03 January 2014. The measures will be extended to include the period of the CHAN2014 African Football Tournament which will kick-off in South Africa from 11 January-04 February 2014.