The Select Committee on Social Services concluded its first day of oversight in Limpopo and welcomes improvements at the Beit Bridge border gate. The Committee is impressed at the level of dedication shown by employees to work at the border, despite the prevailing challenges.

Committee Chairperson Ms Cathy Dlamini said: “The deployment of a cargo scanner to the bridge is a welcomed intervention because it will serve as a deterrent against smuggling of illegal substances in and out of the country. However, we reiterate the need to ensure that the scanner is manned for 24 hours a day. We also welcome the level of cleanliness at the gate and call for management to ensure that this work environment is maintained.”

Despite this, the Committee remains concerned about prolonged challenges at the Beit Bridge port of entry that continue to impede the efficient management of the border. The Committee is of the view that speedy resolution of those challenges will ensure a seamless movement of people and goods across the border.

The primary concern for the Committee is lack of adequate infrastructure to deal with the high volumes at the border post. “The Committee understands that there are plans to develop the precinct to make it fit for purpose. We call on the Department of Health together with the Department of Public Work to move with speed to implement the said proposals,” said Ms Dlamini.

While the Committee is cognisant of the ever increasing burden and competing priorities on the fiscus, it felt that the current situation is untenable. Linked to the issue of infrastructure is the inadequate staffing by various departments at the border post, which needs urgent attention. “The volumes of people and goods using the border are ever-increasing, but this is not matched by the staff at the border. Urgent action is a necessity to address this anomaly,” Ms Dlamini emphasised.

The lack of a proper a travel health facility and health care workers at Beit Bridge is also a big concern. “The Department of Health must ensure the staffing of the travel health facility to ensure detection of any communicable diseases before a person crosses into the country,” Ms Dlamini said.

The fight against corruption remains a worrying factor, considering the fact that none of the departments working at the post have active anti-corruption units working within the port of entry. This challenge presents an opportunity for corrupt individuals to flourish. The Committee calls on relevant departments to invest in anti-corruption initiatives in order to root out the scourge.

 

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services for the Chairperson of the select committee on Social Services, Ms Cathy Dlamini