International visitors to Cape Town are set to have a much smoother arrival, thanks to a near-doubling of capacity in Cape Town International Airport’s (CTIA) Border Management Authority (BMA). A partnership the entity has with the Western Cape Government (WCG) and City of Cape Town with see a boost in the number of its immigration officers.
The initiative was officially launched on Monday 18 August, with officials of all three spheres of government present.
Partnership
A total of 48 assistant port-control officers will be seconded by the City and WCG almost to double the processing capacity at Cape Town International.
“This visionary partnership is a vote of confidence in the BMA, which continues to make meaningful strides in improving border management despite severe resource constraints and a budget shortfall of R4,3 billion,” said Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.
“In the face of these constraints the WCG and CoCT have stepped-up to boost immigration capacity at the airport to enhance national security while driving tourism growth and job creation in the city and province.
“The Western Cape Government is proud to contribute 24 of our officials to boost operations at CTIA” said Premier Alan Winde.
“These young women and men will not only help give operations a boost but also serve as ‘ambassadors’ for our province, welcoming visitors and adding to their positive experience of Cape Town and the Western Cape.”
Faster experience
“A smoother, faster experience at the airport means tourists get to Table Mountain before sunset,” said Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, smiling, “and the tour guide in Langa does not lose business due to airport delays. When we all pull together the whole tourism economy benefits.”
The City and WCG will each contribute 24 personnel, taking total immigration processing capacity at CTIA from 66 to 114. Assistant port-control officers will perform various duties including customs processing.
As City Law Enforcement officers are among those seconded these trained personnel will also be able to offer various safety functions such as search, seizure, arrest and detention where illegal activity is detected.
