Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says international arrivals at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) will begin to experience shorter waiting times at immigration counters, following the deployment of 48 assistant port control officers under a new partnership with the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government.

The move comes after years of complaints about inadequate staffing at CTIA, particularly during peak travel periods.

A 2023 report by Tourism Update revealed that immigration staffing at the airport had decreased by 35% compared to 2019, despite an increase of 26% in international passenger numbers over the same period. Waiting times at immigration routinely exceeded the international standard of 10 minutes, with some passengers queuing for up to 45 minutes during peak hours.

In response, the City and Province have each seconded 24 officers to CTIA, increasing total immigration staffing from 66 to 114.

The newly deployed assistant port control officers will perform immigration and customs functions, with some City law enforcement personnel authorised to conduct searches, seizures, and detentions if illegal activity is identified.

“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 Schreiber during the launch of the initiative on Monday.

“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 Border Management Authority (BMA ) has faced persistent underfunding and capacity problems since its inception.

According to a 2024 Protection Web report, the BMA is operating with a shortfall of R4.35 billion, and as of mid-2024, had filled only 2,566 of its 11,115 approved posts. The shortage has directly impacted operations at key ports of entry, including CTIA, prompting calls from provincial officials and tourism stakeholders for urgent reform or decentralisation of immigration functions.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the province’s intervention was driven by the economic risk posed by immigration delays.

“The Western Cape Government is proud to contribute 24 officials to boost operations at CTIA. This is in line with our regional economic strategy to grow tourist arrivals through various initiatives, including the Air Access programme, to add more direct flights, support small businesses and job creation, as well as increasing capacity at this key port of entry,” said Winde.

“These young women and men will not only help give operations a boost, they will also serve as ‘ambassadors’ for our province, welcoming visitors and adding to their positive experience of Cape Town and the Western Cape.”

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis emphasised the practical economic benefits of faster processing at the airport.

“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. When we all pull together, the whole tourism economy benefits.

”That’s why we are glad to support this initiative to improve visitor experience, which is a key part of boosting the tourism economy and job creation over time,” he said.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

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