Plumtree Border Post Goes 24/7 as OBMS Speeds Up Festive Travel

Plumtree Border Post has moved to 24-hour operations during the festive season (image source)

PLUMTREE — Plumtree Border Post has shifted to round-the-clock operations to accommodate increased cross-border traffic during the Christmas and New Year holidays, with authorities saying the move, together with the rollout of the Online Border Management System (OBMS), is already easing congestion and reducing processing times.

The Immigration Department confirmed that the strategic crossing, which links Zimbabwe with Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, will operate 24 hours a day during peak periods from December 21 to 24, 2025, and January 3 to 5, 2026. Staff complements have been boosted and leave suspended to ensure adequate coverage throughout the extended hours.

Head of Immigration for the Western Region, Mrs Memory Mugwagwa, said the measures are aimed at decongesting the border and ensuring smooth movement for returning Zimbabweans, tourists and regional travellers during the festive season.

Traffic figures show a significant increase in activity at Plumtree. Between December 10 and 19, the border recorded 21,254 arrivals and 12,889 departures, compared with 17,958 arrivals and 10,100 departures over the same period last year. Mrs Mugwagwa said the OBMS has been critical in managing the surge, cutting clearance times from about three minutes per traveller to just seconds.

The OBMS allows travellers to complete immigration declarations and visa applications online before arrival. For those without internet access, tablets and kiosks connected to the system have been installed at the border to facilitate on-site completion. Officials say this has streamlined data capture and reduced queues at immigration counters.

The digital system is also being rolled out at other ports in the Western Region, including Mphoengs, Maitengwe and Mlambaphele, where infrastructure upgrades such as offices, cubicles and roofing are nearing completion. Mphoengs has likewise experienced increased traffic, recording 2,924 entries between December 10 and 19, up from 1,798 during the same period last year.

Authorities say the OBMS strengthens border security through improved data accuracy, visa pre-screening and faster biometric checks, while enhancing coordination with customs and other agencies. Tourism and trade stakeholders have welcomed the extended operating hours and digital upgrades, noting that efficient border management supports cross-border commerce, reduces delays and improves Zimbabwe’s appeal as a destination for business and leisure travel.

As festive travel peaks, officials have encouraged travellers to use the OBMS in advance and to follow guidance at ports of entry, saying the combination of 24-hour operations and digital processing is expected to significantly ease congestion and improve the overall border experience.