South Africa's new draft border policy means goods and people will move through the six busiest land ports at a faster pace. South Afric...
South Africa's new draft border policy means goods and people will move through the six busiest land ports at a faster pace.
South Africa’s draft One-Stop Border Policy (OSBP) which aims to harmonize the movement of people and goods between the country’s land ports of entry and its neighbouring countries is open for public consultation.
The policy which has been published by Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi also addresses the congestion issue which results in delays. The new border policy comes after South Africa entered into the new African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on 1 January 2021.
BORDER POLICY WILL ADDRESS FAILURES
The documents addresses the country’s current border system failures which has come under scrutiny.
In an effort to address these issues the government will establish a new Border Management Authority (BMA) which will report directly to the Minister of Home Affairs. The BMA will be at the forefront of fighting illicit and unauthorised movement at the country’s borders.
PORTS OF ENTRY ARE BEING REVAMPED
The Department of Home Affairs said it is also redeveloping six of South Africa’s ports of entry which includes the following:
BORDER POLICY: ONE STOP FOR PROCESSING
South Africa and its neighbouring countries currently use a two-stop system in which exit procedures are carried out by one state on one side of the border while entry procedures are carried out on the other side.
The department said that the ideal solution is to establish OSBPs where vehicles, goods and people stop only once for border processing formalities.
The officials from both countries through a negotiated bilateral agreement will operate in a common control zone where all procedures will be harmonised.
President Cyril Ramaphosa in November 2020 said, “We expect that in the new year, 2021, preferential trade in Africa will begin with significant product coverage and will be further expanded over the coming years.”
The policy which has been published by Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi also addresses the congestion issue which results in delays. The new border policy comes after South Africa entered into the new African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on 1 January 2021.
BORDER POLICY WILL ADDRESS FAILURES
The documents addresses the country’s current border system failures which has come under scrutiny.
- Poor controls and weak management that adversely affect the country’s territorial integrity.
- The location, number, and design of the country’s 72 ports of entry are a legacy of the country’s colonial and apartheid past.
- Border infrastructure such as fences and patrol roads are inadequate.
In an effort to address these issues the government will establish a new Border Management Authority (BMA) which will report directly to the Minister of Home Affairs. The BMA will be at the forefront of fighting illicit and unauthorised movement at the country’s borders.
PORTS OF ENTRY ARE BEING REVAMPED
The Department of Home Affairs said it is also redeveloping six of South Africa’s ports of entry which includes the following:
- Beit Bridge (Zimbabwe)
- Lebombo (Mozambique)
- Oshoek (Eswatini)
- Kopfontein (Botswana)
- Maseru Bridge (Lesotho)
- Ficksburg (Lesotho)
BORDER POLICY: ONE STOP FOR PROCESSING
South Africa and its neighbouring countries currently use a two-stop system in which exit procedures are carried out by one state on one side of the border while entry procedures are carried out on the other side.
The department said that the ideal solution is to establish OSBPs where vehicles, goods and people stop only once for border processing formalities.
The officials from both countries through a negotiated bilateral agreement will operate in a common control zone where all procedures will be harmonised.
President Cyril Ramaphosa in November 2020 said, “We expect that in the new year, 2021, preferential trade in Africa will begin with significant product coverage and will be further expanded over the coming years.”
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