BuaNews (Tshwane)
Tshwarelo Eseng Mogakane
5 December 2007
Nelspruit — More than 500 000 passengers are expected to flow through the Lebombo border between Mozambique and South Africa this festive season.
Last year, 465 600 passengers passed through the border and officials expect a 30 perhaps increase this year.
"This means we need to tighten up on all measures to ensure operations go as smoothly as possible," said chief operating officer at the Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative (MCLI), Barbara Mommen, on Wednesday.
She said representatives from 28 government departments and other stakeholders from both countries had met at the end of November to finalise planning for the peak volumes in December.
She said government departments would be hiring extra staff and erect temporary infrastructure to accommodate the expected increase in travellers.
She said there would still be queues and congestion, however, and urged travellers to be patient and plan their trip carefully.
The border will be open 24 hours until January 15 next year.
Busses, taxis and commercial vehicles will be cleared through the Lebombo Border Dry Port at the old airport outside Komatipoort.
Cargo clearing will be done between 6am and 10pm at the dry port and then escorted through the border separately from passenger traffic.
Ms Mommen reminded travelers that firearms are not allowed across the border, nor are pets and animals.
She advised travellers to use only South African transport operators who have permits issued by the Cross Border Road Transport Agency.
She warned against fraudsters who pose as government officials from both sides of the border and charged fees to fill out documentation.
Ms Mommen said only Mozambique immigration charged a levy of R17 to process passports for those travelling into Mozambique. The levy should be paid to immigration officials in uniform only.
"You may ask for identification should you have doubts," said Ms Mommen.
She also advised against jumping queues by using runners.
DA341 forms need to be completed for South African vehicles, while third party insurance for South African vehicles crossing the border is compulsory and can be obtained from various outlets at border post, at the dry port or at the Sasol garage along the N4 near the border.
The same outlets can assist travellers with all necessary documentation for the trip across the border.
Travellers are urged to keep an eye out for pamphlets called "Border Crossing Made Easy", which explain the process.
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