Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) has confirmed that the Rimbi Travel and Tours bus from Zimbabwe, which was recently stopped in the Free State while en route to Cape Town, was properly processed at the Beitbridge Port of Entry.
The BMA said that on arrival, the bus entered through the North Gate, where standard port procedures were carried out. All 43 passengers on board were required to disembark with their luggage to undergo mandatory screening.
“Passengers were subjected to BMA Port Health screening to identify any health-related risks, while their luggage was scanned for any smuggling of illicit goods and items such as bulk medication or contraband in line with established security protocols.
“Concurrently, the bus itself was searched to detect any undocumented individuals.
“The driver presented a passenger manifest, which included the names and passport numbers of all individuals on board.
“Each passenger proceeded to immigration counters where they presented their passports to BMA immigration officials,” the BMA said.
The Authority added that all documents were checked and confirmed as valid, with passengers duly processed and granted entry into South Africa in accordance with applicable immigration regulations.
“The BMA confirms that it is in possession of the full list of passengers who were processed at the port of entry, all of whom complied with entry requirements of having valid passports, visas and all had sufficient number of days, remaining out of 90 days, to enter South Africa.”
According to the statement, the bus driver held a valid passport and a legitimate cross-border permit, and the vehicle was processed in full compliance with regulatory requirements.
“The bus is operated by a registered cross-border transport operator, Rimbi Tours, which is among the regular transport services utilising the Beitbridge Port of Entry.
“The BMA wishes to emphasise that security measures at the Beitbridge Port of Entry remain exceptionally stringent,” stated the BMA.
The Authority said the port is currently operating under increased surveillance, with drones deployed and several Commissioners present to oversee operations during this busy period.
According to the BMA, these measures are aimed at preventing illegal crossings and detecting any irregular activity.
“The Border Management Authority, therefore, cannot account for any additional passengers who may have boarded the bus inland after the bus had departed from the port of entry.
“Information received from the Free State authorities suggests that the bus may have been overloaded at the time of interception, indicating the possibility that undocumented individuals were transported after lawful processing had already taken place.
“The BMA reiterates that it operates across 71 Ports of Entry nationwide and within a 10-kilometre radius of South Africa’s borderline, in line with its legislative mandate.
“Movement beyond this zone requires continued compliance with immigration laws and is subject to enforcement by relevant law enforcement authorities in support of the work of the BMA.
“Transport operators are once again strongly warned against transporting undocumented persons within the country.
“Such actions constitute a violation of immigration laws and will attract serious consequences.
“The BMA remains committed to safeguarding South Africa’s borders and ensuring that all persons entering the country do so in full compliance with the law.
“We will continue to work closely with provincial authorities and law enforcement agencies during this busy Easter period,” reads the statement.
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