JOHANNESBURG - Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has hailed the redevelopment of six key ports of entry as a game-changer.
The project is worth more than R12-billion. The Border Management Authority announced the winning bidders.
The six ports of entry that will be rebuilt include Lebombo (Mozambique), Beitbridge (Zimbabwe), Oshoek (Eswatini), Kopfontein (Botswana), Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg (Lesotho).
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“This project, worth an estimated R12.5-billion, constitutes the single biggest investment ever made by the South African government in upgrading our country’s border management system,” the Minister said.
According to Schreiber, the redevelopment will tighten controls at the country's borders.
This as the six ports account for the majority of cross-border movement and are critical to economic performance.
“Together, they account for over 80 percent of cross-border trade and passenger flows through South Africa’s land borders,” he said.
However, Schreiber noted that ageing infrastructure and inefficiencies have long constrained operations, in turn, enabling criminal activity.
“Congestion, outdated infrastructure, and fragmented systems have slowed down trade and increased the cost of doing business.
“Weaknesses have been exploited through illegal migration, illicit trade, and fraudulent practices that undermine both revenue collection and the rule of law,” Schreiber said.
He said the project launched therefore represents the start of a new era in South African border management.