Parliament, Monday, 09 December 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs will tomorrow visit the Lebombo Port of entry to assess festive operations in light of disruptions caused by the ongoing political protests in Mozambique. The visit is part of the committee’s constitutional obligation of oversight over the executive to ensure accountability.
“The committee has already received comprehensive festive operational plans from the Border Management Authority and the Department of Home Affairs, and the visit will assess the implementation of the developed plans. Some of the critical interventions the committee would like to observe will include the deployment of Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones) which are being used to monitor congestions, illegal movement of people across the border line and any acts that requires interventions,” said Mr Mosa Chabane, the Chairperson of the committee.
Lebombo Port of Entry is perennially one of the busiest ports of entry for the movement of people and goods to and from neighbouring countries. This year the sharp increase in volumes to be processed at the port of entry will be compounded by the recent political protests in Mozambique, thus it is necessary for the committee to visit the port of entry to assess if plans in place are adequate to undercut the challenges anticipated.
“While we have full confidence in the BMA and law enforcement authorities to deal with any eventuality, it is necessary to ensure that plans are carefully laid out to address deferent scenarios. It is also important that the committee assesses the collaboration between the South African government and governments of neighbouring countries to ensure the seamless movement across the border,” Mr Chabane emphasised.
In light of the protests in Mozambique, it is also necessary that the BMA and local law enforcement authorities to enhance communications diverting traffic to neighbouring ports of entry to alleviate the pressure at Lebombo.
Meanwhile, the committee will also assess the deployment of additional human resources to the port of entry to ensure adequate capacity at all times at the port of entry.
Details of the visit
Date: Tuesday, 10 December 2024
Time: 09:00
Venue: Lebombo Port of entry
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS, MR MOSA CHABANE
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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