The National Migration Service (SENAMI) is reinforcing measures to control the movement of migrants at the main borders in order to ensure that the flow of travelers in and out runs smoothly during the festive season..

According to a NewsThis assurance was given by Juca Bata, spokesperson for the Maputo Provincial Migration Service, which is home to four of the main crossing points between South Africa and Eswatini.

The source noted that among the various measures to be adopted is the reinforcement of security. "In addition to the staff from Migration and Customs, we have reinforced the police contingent in order to mitigate any kind of disturbance to order," said the spokesman, guaranteeing that during the upcoming festive season, outposts will be set up - Km 7, on the Lebombo border on the South African side and its pedestrian channel, and Km 4, on the Mozambican side - to facilitate the processing of documents.

Customs and Migration personnel from both countries will be working at these designated one-stop locations to make migratory movements and customs clearance of goods more flexible.

"From the 18th, Km 7, on the South African side, will be active and the return movement will be from January 1st to 4th with the activation of Km 4, in Mozambique.

In relation to other borders, the opening hours of Ponta do Ouro, which normally opens from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., will be extended to 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in order to cope with the migratory movement.

Data from the last 24 hours points to a relatively higher level of traffic at the three borders following the demonstrations. Ressano Garcia handled 6,000 travelers, with 2,447 entering and 3,485 leaving. Namaacha saw 497 pass through, Goba 287, and Ponta do Ouro 720.

The migration authorities explain that this figure does not yet reflect the usual movement at this time of year, which would be between 10,000 and 15,000 people a day.

(Photo DR)