Pretoria – The Department of Home Affairs will from today extend operating hours at selected ports of entry to ease movement for travellers over the Easter holiday.

“The department will extend operating hours at selected ports of entry from 18 – 30 March to ease movement for travellers over the Easter holidays. The department will deploy more personnel, including senior managers, to enhance service quality in this period — one of the busiest for us with increased traveller volumes,” Director General Mkuseli Apleni said on Friday.

The Director General said the department trusts that the burden of long queues and delays will be minimised by the introduction of longer hours.

“However, success in this regard depends also on people travelling gradually over the entire period and importantly, with drivers observing religiously all the rules of the road, ensuring all reach their destinations safely,” he said.

In Mpumalanga, the Lebombo port of entry will operate on a 24-hour basis while the Mananga port of entry will be open from 7am to 8pm.

In the Eastern Cape, Qancha’s Nek will operate from 6am to 10pm, while KwaZulu-Natal’s Kosi Bay will operate from 7am to 6pm.

In the Free State, Van Rooyenshek will be open from 6am to midnight while in Limpopo Groblersbridge will operate from 6am to midnight.

The Swartkopfontein port of entry in the North West will operate from 7am to 8pm.

“Home Affairs has secured the buy-in of stakeholders and countries that share borders with the Republic. Stakeholders in this regard include religious leaders and pilgrims, particularly those heading for the City of Moria in Limpopo,” said Apleni.

He said the department is ready to receive all travellers into and out of South Africa.

“I would like to inform citizens and other clients that we are ready to receive all travellers in and out of South Africa, and we will do so with the highest levels of professionalism and efficiency.”

SOURCE: SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT NEWS AGENCY