The City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government will second 48 assistant port control officers to boost the Border Management Authority’s (BMA’s) capacity at the Cape Town International Airport (CTIA).
The initiative was unveiled earlier this week by Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
“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,” Schreiber said at the launch.
“In the face of these constraints, the Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town 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.
“This is a great example of government leaders working together to resolve long-standing challenges for the benefit of all.”
Winde said the project was is in line with the Western Cape’s regional economic strategy to grow tourist arrivals, including adding more direct flights to the province.
“A smoother, faster experience at the airport means tourists get to Table Mountain before sunset, and the tour guide in Langa does not lose his business due to airport delays,” added Hill-Lewis.
“When we all pull together, the whole tourism economy benefits.”
In total, the city and provincial government will each contribute 24 people, 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 the new cohort, they will be able to execute various safety functions as well, such as search, seizure, arrest and detention functions.
