The Border Management Authority (BMA) says it successfully processed the departure of 933 Mozambican nationals from South Africa to Mozambique through the Lebombo port of entry on Wednesday.
BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi says 349 of those processed originated from the Lindela Holding Facility and were transported by the department of home affairs through its deportation programme, while the remaining 584 travelled from Mossel Bay through arrangements facilitated by the Mozambican High Commission.
Mogotsi says the operation was coordinated through an integrated approach involving BMA Immigration Services, port health services, law enforcement and border guard functions, working in collaboration with the department of home affairs, the department of social development, the South African Police Service and Mozambican authorities.
“All travellers underwent the required immigration processing, including identity verification, biometric checks and immigration status assessments, in accordance with South African immigration legislation and border management procedures,” she says.
According to Mogotsi, the group included individuals who did not possess valid travel documentation and others whose immigration status required further verification.
She says 17 individuals who had previously entered South Africa legally were found to have overstayed their authorised period of stay and were processed in accordance with the Immigration Act and applicable regulations.
Mogotsi says 38 minors formed part of the group and were processed with the assistance of the department of social development to ensure compliance with all applicable child protection and cross-border movement requirements.
“As part of the BMA’s mandate, all persons were screened and processed in accordance with health, security and immigration protocols before being permitted to proceed through the port of entry,” she says.
Mogotsi says 926 individuals successfully departed South Africa for Mozambique at the conclusion of the operation.
However, seven individuals were not permitted to depart following immigration processing and verification.
“These cases included individuals who did not meet the prescribed requirements for cross-border movement, individuals whose nationality or immigration status required further verification, and cases involving minors where the required supporting documentation was not available,” she says.
Mogotsi says appropriate arrangements were made for all affected individuals in accordance with legal and administrative requirements.
She says the operation was concluded in an orderly manner without incident and demonstrated the effectiveness of cooperation between South African authorities and their regional counterparts in facilitating lawful cross-border movement and migration management.
BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato says the operation highlighted the importance of managing migration in a lawful and orderly manner.
“The management of cross-border movement must be conducted in a manner that is lawful, orderly and consistent with South Africa’s immigration framework.
“The BMA remains committed to facilitating legitimate travel while ensuring compliance with immigration legislation and safeguarding the integrity of our ports of entry.
‘’We will continue to work closely with our regional counterparts to promote safe, orderly and regular migration, while protecting the security interests of South Africa and the region,” he says.
Meanwhile, the government of Malawi says it was preparing a voluntary repatriation programme for Malawian nationals affected by recent attacks and demonstrations targeting African migrants in parts of South Africa.
The Malawian ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation says it was monitoring the situation through its diplomatic missions and engaging South African authorities on the matter.
“The government will soon commence a voluntary repatriation exercise for Malawian nationals that have requested government support for their return home,” the ministry says, stressing that the programme would be voluntary and only available to citizens who had requested assistance.
– IOL News
