According to a media advisory sent out this week, Mbalula was supposed to announce new travel regulations and directives while doing an inspection of the airport’s facilities. This was his third visit to airports – he had previously visited OR Tambo and King Shaka to inspect their readiness.
Despite being an hour late for the briefing, Mbalula did not announce new regulations, but only inspected the airport’s facilities. When pressed for information on the regulations, he would only say that the department was “looking at” opening up more train lines, including the resumption of long-distance services and increasing load capacity for long-distance taxi operations.
He said that the department was “looking at every country from Dubai… next week we’ll announce that”. The Department of Transport is working with the departments of health, home affairs, and international relations and cooperation to determine the countries from which travellers would be allowed. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, accompanied by officials such as Acsa CEO Mpumi Mpofu, left, speaks to the media at the readiness inspection of the Cape Town International Airport. During the inspection, Mpofu toldTwo initiatives announced by the airport were the introduction of thermal scanners that can detect passengers with high temperatures when they pass through scanning stations, and converting into an e-system, which will ease the travelling system for travellers.
After being taken on a tour of the airport’s thermal detectors, screening sections and sanitising stations, Mbalula declared the airport ready to accept international travel.
Good grief - now Minister 'Fear Fokkol Poes' is suddenly an expert on thermal imaging systems and whether airports will function come 1 October. Airports have been designed to handle passengers, so what is there to inspect. He should be spending time on the rail system instead.
Please visit our beautiful Western Cape. It’s looking fantastic since the Rains have fallen, Dams are full. Wine Farms are open...happy holidays.🌈🌈🌈