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Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi tells parliament that refugees want to go to Canada. / Image via: ‘Archive Photo.’

Motsoaledi to visit Lebombo as SA’s 20 land borders reopen on Monday

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has urged travellers to ensure that they have all the required travel documents when they present themselves to border officials

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Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi tells parliament that refugees want to go to Canada. / Image via: ‘Archive Photo.’

Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi is expected to be at the Lebombo Border post on Monday, 15 February 2021, as the country’s 20 land borders are set to be reopened. This after they had been closed on January 11, in a bid to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in the country. Motsoaledi’s deputy Njabulo Nzuza and director-general Tommy Makhode are also scheduled to visit the four busiest border posts to monitor compliance.

Nzuza will visit Beitbridge while Makhode will be monitoring the situation at Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg.

According to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs all land posts will close at 21:00 every day, in respect of lockdown regulations.

“With the extension, there are further amendments and one of them is the borders – the 20 land borders – that were providing limited or restricted services are now fully operational. As of tomorrow, they will be fully operational. Some of the borders were open 24 hours and some were open until midnight – but due to the curfew and restrictions those borders will now close at 9pm o’clock,” said Cogta spokesperson Lungi Mtshali.

Motsoaledi: It’s all systems go ahead of borders reopening

With the country phasing out the second wave of COVID-19 infections, cabinet moved to approved the extension of the national state of disaster until 15 March 2021 – which will be nearly a year after President Cyril Ramaphosa initially declared it and placed the country under lockdown.

The minister has urged those set to cross the various posts from Monday to exercise precaution and also warned that officials will be on high alert.

“In the past four weeks the department has increased its engagements with officials in neighbouring countries, provinces with land borders and other stakeholders to improve co-ordination of efforts,” Motsoaledi further said.

“The aim of these engagements was to share plans and ensure seamless movement of travellers and goods to minimise the chances of border crossings being super-spreader events.”

Motsoaledi further appealed to travellers to ensure that they have all the required travel documents, including valid COVID-19 tests, when they present themselves to officials.

“Truck drivers should adhere to laws, regulations and agreements in place in the border area. This will go a long way in minimising congestion,” he said.