Jerrald Worley, Customs Liaison for the State Department, Office of International Affairs, was the project manager for the assessment team. The Joint Border Assessment Team visited Oshoek (South Africa)/Ngwenya (Swaziland) and Lomahasha (Swaziland)/Namaacha (Mozambique) ports of entry.

The Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs asked the Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service to conduct an assessment of the land border ports in a number of southern African countries. The US is committed to help these countries in both revenue collection and enforcement of their laws. The assessment team reviewed the procedures, personnel, and facilities at land border ports in the countries selected and provided a series of recommendations for improvement.

Over the years, the Customs Service has conducted numerous assessments of foreign customs administrations offering recommendations for improvement. Many developing countries rely on Customs duties as a prime source of national revenue. When inefficient or corrupt customs practices are committed it can cause a dire effect on the national revenue. These developing countries are also vulnerable to transnational crimes and are used by drug traffickers and other criminals as transit countries to smuggle narcotics and other contraband into the United States and Europe. The Customs Service is universally recognized as the most efficient and effective customs administration and is looked upon as a model that the rest of the world seeks to emulate.

"The recent assessment of the land border ports of entry in South Africa has furnished a blueprint for those countries to improve their revenue collection and enforcement activities," says Jerrald Worley, Customs Liaison to the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the Department of State. "It has reinforced the image of the United States in Africa as a country that is committed to helping these developing nations to modernize and improve their border controls. The Department of State has praised the report and recommendations developed by the Customs and Immigration team."

The final assessment report included recommendations for improving the process, procedures, and performance of the agencies responsible for inspecting cargo and travelers at the borders. The report also made recommendations for physical improvements to facilities as well as providing cost information for the improvements.

During their visit, the Team received tremendous support from all government officials from the Department of State as well as those of the South Africa, Swaziland, and Mozambique. The success of the Team would not have been possible without assistance from Mr. Forrest Ward, Deputy Customs Attaché and his staff at the Customs Attaché Office in Pretoria, South Africa. Mr. Ward arranged the complete trip itinerary including site selections, as well as providing transportation, hotel accommodations, and office space, and equipment for the Team.