Border hours extended

2003-12-24 10:12

Johannesburg - Southern African countries have agreed to extend operating hours at borders and ports in order to accommodate the expected increase in traffic during the festive season, the department of home affairs said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Nkosana Sibuyi said the countries that have agreed to the extension include South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho and Botswana.

He said this was in preparation for the influx of tourists and other travellers to the region.

Travellers are requested to plan their journeys with due consideration of these extended hours to avoid peak hours, thus minimising discomfort and long waiting periods at the busier ports of entry, said Sibuyi.

Operating hours at the relevant ports of entry will be as follows:

In KwaZulu-Natal:

-- Kosi Bay (KwaZulu-Natal/Mozambique) will open at 06:00 and close at 18:00 on both December 24 and December 31; -- Golela (KwaZulu-Natal/Swaziland) will open at 06:00 and close at 22:00 on December 24;

-- Onverwacht (KwaZulu-Natal/Swaziland) will open at 07:00 and close at 19:00 on December 24 and December 31.

In Mpumalanga:

-- Oshoek (Mpumalanga/Swaziland) will be open between 07:00 and midnight on December 24, and between 06:00 and midnight on December 25;

-- Mahamba (Mpumalanga/Swaziland) will open at 07:00 on December 24 and close at midnight, and will open at 06:00 and close at 22:00 on December 25. On December 31 this border post will be open from 07:00 to 23:00;

-- Lebombo (Mpumalanga/Mozambique) is operating on a 24-hour basis until January 9;

-- Mananga (Mpumalanga/Swaziland) is operating between 07:00 and midnight until December 24, and between 07:00 and 20:00 on December 30 and 31.

In Limpopo:

-- Groblersbrug (Limpopo/Botswana) will open at 06:00 and close at 18:00 on December 24, and will open at 08:00 and close at 20:00 on January 1. On January 4, the border post will open at 06:00 and close at 18:00.

In the Free State:

Maseru Bridge (Free State/Lesotho) is open 24 hours;

Van Rooyenshek (Free State/Lesotho) will be open between 05:45 and midnight on December 24, and again on January 1;

Ficksburg Bridge (Free State/Lesotho) is open 24 hours.

In North West:

Skilpadshek (North West/Lobatse) will be operating for 24 hours on December 24;

Ramatlabama (North West/Lobatse) will open at 06:00 and close at 22:00 on December 24;

Kopfontein (North West/Gaborone) will be open for 24 hours on December 24.

- SAPA