New agreement beefs up permit checks, compliance

In a move aimed at bolstering cross-border transportation efficiency, the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) and the Border Management Authority (BMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding as part of a move to enhance cooperation and coordination with regard to permits at border posts.According to Dr Mike Masiapato, commissioner and CEO of the BMA, the BMA has now taken charge of validating permits at border posts, eliminating the necessity for the physical presence of C-BRTA staff at these borders. This streamlined process aims to ensure that vehicles comply with regulations for entry into or departure from South Africa and, in so doing, enhance efficiency and reduce administrative burdens at border crossings. “The BMA, through this agreement, will have the right to refuse entry or exit if the driver does not have a valid permit. We will also have the mandate to impound vehicles if necessary,” he told Freight News.Lwazi Mboyi, CEO of the C-BRTA, said the agreement represented a positive step forward and an important acknowledgement that the enforcement of permit regulations was previously lacking at border crossings, despite this being a legal requirement. “With the collaboration between the C-BRTA and the BMA, drivers will now be required to present their permits when entering or leaving South Africa, ensuring compliance with the law and enhancing border security,” he said.Mboyi said the C-BRTA was providing border guards with training on its functions. It had also given the BMA staff access to its electronic systems for the verification of valid permits.