Beitbridge border changes hours

SA customs officials caught off-guard BEITBRIDGE BORDER post is now open 24 hours a day Ð but only on the Zimbabwe side. The decision by that country's authorities to make this move from July 1 has caught South Africa's immigration and customs officials off guard. A statement from the Department of Home Affairs says, however, that border post hours on the South African side will not be extended at this stage, and existing operating times cannot be amended until all parties have reached an agreement on a mutually acceptable date. The Department has said, however, that it intends opening the border on a 24-hour basis, but this will not be announced or come into operation for some time. Practical logistical problems and finding suitable accommodation for the additional personnel required have to be sorted out before any changes are made, says the Department. The existing times of 08:00 to 16:00 for heavy transport and 05:30 to 22:00 for motor vehicles will remain in place until further notice.