Johnathan Paoli
THE Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Dr Mike Masiapato says the new authority was a culmination of years of discussion and has made significant progress in its drive to dispel the notorious reputation of the country’s permeable borders.
The commissioner was speaking during a media briefing on Thursday to announce the authority’s plans on strengthening South Africa’s 72 ports of entry.
The BMA was proclaimed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in July 2020, launched last year by Home Affairs minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and is expected to be officiated by the president in early October this year to fulfill the country’s need for integrated and coordinated border management in accordance with the Constitution, international and domestic law.
Masiapato says that since July last year, 95 000 immigrants with fraudulent documents have been deported back to their countries 139 stolen vehicles have been recovered before they were transported across the borders.
The commissioner says the BMA was incubated under the Home Affairs Department during the 2022/23 financial year and that certain functions from sister departments that work with the BMA have been moved to the agency in terms of section 97 of the Constitution.
Masiapato says that in terms of employment, the agency employs 200 border guards, and hired 2 100 officials with 400 currently undergoing training.
In addition, coastal guards are also being trained and technology will be used to supplement the work done by the guards.
Motsoaledi has acknowledged the main challenges for the BMA, namely inadequate design of main ports of entry as well as the encroaching effects of corruption in conducting their duty; saying that the authority is considering redesigning the top six ports of entry and that all individuals working for the BMA will be fully vetted with summary dismissals for employees caught breaking the law.
This comes on the heels of an increasing wave of criticism of border management, with opposition parties and even the ANC commenting on the condition of illegal foreign nationals entering the country and the apparent inefficiency displayed by border officials.
The commissioner assured any who were skeptical about the BMA, saying that despite the limited resources currently available, the country would see a difference in border control.
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