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The Border Management Authority (BMA) is extending operational hours and deploying
additional staff across key ports of entry ahead of the Easter weekend travel period.
At the launch of the BMA’s four-phase Easter Operational Plan in Pretoria,
Commissioner Mike Masiapato outlined measures to accommodate an expected influx
of travellers.
“Upon realizing the need for additional capacity we increased our human resource
deployment for immigration, and law enforcement duties as well as provide capacity for
operational and tactical support across our ports of entry,” Masiapato stated.
A contingent of 400 junior border guards currently in training will be temporarily
assigned to ports to gain practical experience. “We will be deploying the 400 additional
junior border guards who are currently at college. They have been trained across all of
the various activities that take place at the ports and our targeted ports are the busiest
ports of entry to assist with the delivery of services,” Masiapato explained.
The scaled-up staffing aims to expedite processing and enhance security at major
transit hubs during the holiday rush. While internal training pipelines are leveraged, the
BMA’s operational plan signals its recognition of anticipated demand spikes requiring
supplemental resources at critical checkpoints.
