Immigration issues addressed

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Several roleplayers recently met to discuss the possibility of establishing permanent immigration services in Mossel Bay, especially to service the port of Mossel Bay.

Although no permanent, on-site immigration services will at this time be made available at Mossel Bay port, the Department of Home Affairs will ensure that such a service is available on time and for the necessary periods as required, where reasonable.

This assurance was given by Stephen van Neel of the department.

The need for a more permanent service was underscored by the expected increased demand for immigration services that will result from an exploration project expected in December 2018, involving a rig with 120 to 150 crew members and a number of support vessels with a crew and management staff that may need to come ashore from time to time.

The CEO of Afrishore, Shirley Schmidt, appealed to the Department of Home Affairs to ensure that sufficient measures will proactively be made to meet the expected demand.

Several roleplayers recently met with the department of home affairs to request the permanent placement of an immigration officer in Mossel Bay.