Africa-Press – Eswatini. Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs has extended operating hours at the Mahamba, Matsamo, and Mananga ports of entry from December 22 to 24.
A measure introduced to manage the anticipated surge of holiday travellers, reduce congestion, ensure faster and corruption-free services, and strengthen border operations through the deployment of a mobile border unit at Ngwenya.
The Ministry’s decision, outlined in a press statement released on December 9, 2025, positions the government as a facilitator of seamless cross-border movement. This initiative is driven by the understanding that the festive period brings a significant increase in travelers both leaving and entering Eswatini.
Principal Secretary Nhlanhla Nxumalo confirmed the objective is clear: to deliver “excellent customer service delivery in a corrupt free environment”. Beyond convenience, the extended hours and operational enhancements form part of a broader strategy aimed at minimising the presence of undocumented travellers and thwarting the use of fraudulent documents. This dual focus ensures that heightened service standards are maintained without compromising national security and compliance.
Extended Times Detailed
The public can now plan their travels around the following significantly extended schedules for the specified days:
Mahamba Port of Entry: On December 23 and 24, 2025, the port will remain open until midnight (00:00), extending its current 22:00 closing time.
Mananga Port of Entry: The Mananga gate will offer an extra two hours of operation from December 22 to 24, 2025, extending its closure from 18:00 to 20:00.
Matsamo Port of Entry: This border post is also included in the directive, scheduled for extended operation on December 23 and 24, 2025.
The Ministry also advised that any other border posts not explicitly listed in the statement will continue to operate under their normal, non-extended hours.
In a demonstration of operational innovation, a fully equipped mobile office will be deployed specifically to the Ngwenya Border Post. This high-traffic post is set to receive the specialized unit to ensure efficiency, promising travellers that they “will not have to wait longer than expected through the checkpoint”.
This strategic deployment is expected to significantly ease congestion at Ngwenya, transforming the border experience during the peak travel dates.
The Ministry strongly urges ‘travellers’ to exercise due diligence by planning their trips accordingly and ensuring all necessary travel documents are checked timely to avoid any unnecessary delays at the ports. The nation’s commitment to facilitating smoother travel has been laid bare; it is now up to the travelling public to take advantage of the generous window of opportunity provided.
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