Question NW233 to the Minister of Home Affairs
24 July 2019 - NW233
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)How are the cruise ships that are docking on the South African shores being accommodated to ensure that the processing of passengers is efficiently, effectively and speedily handled with minimal inconvenience to passengers; (2) which ports (a) have and (b) do not have functioning Home Affairs offices for the purpose of processing passengers; (3) (a) how are passengers being processed in the cases where there are no Home Affairs offices, (b) what is being done to establish a Home Affairs presence at the specified ports and (c) what are the time frames and deadlines in this regard respectively?
Reply:
(1) Cruise liners that are visiting our shores are an important revenue generator and contributor to economy of the country in general and the relevant Provinces in particular. It is for this reason that the designated maritime ports that deals with passenger liners are well prepared to facilitate passengers. The facilitation of passengers commenced with a joint planning session way in advance as soon as notification or a schedule is received from shipping agents. The planning session comprises of all the relevant border law enforcement entities that include immigration; customs; policing; agricultural, plant and animal inspections as well as port health. The planning sessions culminate in a comprehensive operational plan that is discussed with the shipping agent to ensure that all movements are efficient and seamless. In the event where passenger liners arrive with large number of visitors, additional Immigration staff are deployed for the period of clearance in order to ensure that processing of travellers are speedily done. It should be noted that not all eight maritime ports are designated for passenger clearance.
(2) (a) The following maritime ports are designated to clear passengers:
i. Richardsbay Port of Entry
ii. Durban Port of Entry
iii. East London Port of Entry
iv. Port Elizabeth Port of Entry
v. Cape Town Harbour
(b) The remaining Maritime Ports of Entry do not provide passenger clearance services as it has been designated for either crew changes or bulk goods and include the following:
i. Mosselbay
ii. Port of Ngqura
iii. Saldanhabay
(3) (a) All ports designated for passenger clearance either have permanent staff or services are provided from ports or Home Affairs offices where permanent staff is based. Advanced planning and engagements are done when services are needed.
(b) Permanent staff will be appointed when funding becomes available for the filling of posts.
(c) The timeframes and deadlines are unknown considering the current austerity measures implemented by National Treasury.
END