Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says South Africa’s R12.5 billion (US$746 million) border infrastructure overhaul will transform the country’s ports of entry into modern, secure and efficient gateways for trade and travel.
Addressing a media briefing last week, Schreiber said the redevelopment of six key land ports of entry marks a critical milestone in reforming the country’s immigration and border management system.
The multi-year programme, implemented through a public-private partnership, will include the demolition and rebuilding of six high-traffic ports: Lebombo (Mozambique), Beitbridge (Zimbabwe), Oshoek (Eswatini), Kopfontein (Botswana) and Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg (Lesotho).
“This project, worth an estimated R12.5 billion, constitutes the single biggest investment ever made by the South African government in upgrading our country’s border management system,” the minister said.
Schreiber said the six ports account for over 80% of cross-border trade and passenger flows through South Africa’s land borders and are critical to economic performance.
However, he noted, ageing infrastructure and inefficiencies have long constrained operations, in turn, enabling criminal activity.
“Congestion, outdated infrastructure and fragmented systems have slowed down trade and increased the cost of doing business. Weaknesses have been exploited through illegal migration, illicit trade and fraudulent practices that undermine revenue collection and the rule of law,” Schreiber said.
“We are moving from fragmented, manual processes to integrated, digital systems; from duplication and delay to coordination and convenience; from vulnerability to control.”
The impact of the upgrades will be felt across the economy, Schreiber added.
“Shorter turnaround times, reduced congestion, more predictable movement of goods and people: these improvements go directly to the heart of economic growth.”
