Minister of home affairs Leon Schreiber announced on Tuesday the successful bidders for the redevelopment of SA’s six busiest land ports of entry, in a R12.5bn project aimed at modernising borders, boosting trade and strengthening security.
Schreiber described the initiative as a “groundbreaking moment” and the most ambitious border modernisation programme in the country’s history.
He said the project will see the overhaul of Lebombo, Beitbridge, Oshoek, Kopfontein, Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg, These points of entry together account for about 80% of cross-border trade and passenger movement.
These redevelopment builds on ongoing digital reforms, including new immigration systems and the establishment of the Border Management Authority.
“We are moving from fragmented manual processes to integrated digital systems,” he said.
Studies estimate that even a 5% reduction in border clearance times can increase intra-regional exports by around 10%. Schreiber said the upgrades would deliver:
- shorter queues;
- faster processing;
- improved revenue collection; and
- stronger enforcement.
Border Management Authority (BMA) commissioner Michael Masiapato stressed that the project will be funded entirely by private partners who will be raising their financial resources for the project from the commercial banks.
The BMA confirmed the following preferred bidders:
- Beit Bridge – Baobab Concession;
- Lebombo – Rolex Consortium;
- Oshoek – Baobab Concession;
- Maseru Bridge – Kgorong Consortium;
- Kopfontein – Kopfontein Consortium; and
- Ficksburg Bridge – Imbani Consortium.
Sowetan
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