The Border Management Authority (BMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to remain vigilant, responsive and committed to protecting South Africa’s sovereignty and its ports of entry as gateways to the country’s prosperity and security.

BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato unveiled the first quarter performance results for the 2025/26 financial year at a media briefing offering a detailed overview of the BMA’s operations across South Africa’s 72 ports of entry and marked the official launch of new high-security immigration control stamps.

“The BMA acknowledges that more needs to be done as other risks continue to emerge. As such, we continue to implement robust contingency plans and emergency response protocols at our ports to address any incidents that may arise. The BMA remains dedicated to upholding the integrity of our borders,” Masiapato said.

The BMA also used the occasion to honour Women’s Month, acknowledging the vital role played by female officers in managing the country’s borders through immigration, agricultural, environmental and health-related specialisations.

Masiapato revealed that 986 permits were processed for the movement of human remains during the quarter.

Of these, 942 were exported out of South Africa, and 44 were imported into the country.

Port health specialists also continued to perform disease screenings at points of entry, denying entry to 42 travellers due to identified public health risks.

In addition, 24 suspected malaria cases were referred to health facilities for further medical investigation.

Port health officials also maintained rigorous inspection of foodstuffs, biological materials, and pharmaceutical products, reinforcing the country’s first line of defence against international health threats.

Travellers were reminded of strict requirements, including valid yellow fever vaccination certificates and formal authorisation from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority for any imported scheduled medicines.

The first quarter saw the processing of 8,582,250 travellers entering and exiting South Africa.

Immigration officials reiterated that all travellers must carry machine-readable passports with at least two blank pages, excluding the last.

Travellers without valid visas, passports in poor condition, or those violating visa conditions were denied entry.

Children travelling across borders were again a focus point, especially in light of the International Day of Trafficking in Persons on 30 July.

The BMA intercepted 13 children, five of whom were unaccompanied and placed in the care of the Social Development department.

The remaining eight were travlling with parents or ardians but were refused entry due to documentation irregularities.

Masiapato emphasised that the legal requirements for child travel such as unabridged birth certificates, affidavits of consent, and court orders must be strictly followed to prevent trafficking and ensure child safety.

he BMA’s agricultural biosecurity teams processed 38,094 consignments of regulated agricultural goods across 26 major commercial ports.

These included shipments of live animals and plant products, each requiring strict documentation including phytosanitary and veterinary certificates.

On he environmental front, specialists processed 1,223 consignments under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species at 15 key ports.

These included endangered species and alien invasive plants and animals.

Importers are mandated to obtain appropriate permits from the Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Department and schedule inspections 48 hours in advance.

Non-compliant shipments were handed over to the department’s enforcement teams for further investigation, with the possibility of criminal proceedings.

During the quarter, the BMA Border Guards apprehended 9954 individuals attempting to enter South Africa unlawfully.

Of these, 5826 were undocumented, 2,127 inadmissible, and 2,00

1 classified as undesirable.

Cumulatively since July 2022, BMA operations have intercepted 496,622 individuals attempting illegal crossings.

The BMA also recovered 15 stolen vehicles, thwarting smuggling attempts, and seized 32 bales of counterfeit clothing and 201 fake shoes with an estimated value of R1.09 million.

Furthermore, 14 fraudulent passports were confiscated after being found with counterfeit immigration stamps.

To address continued abuse of documentation, the BMA introduced a new series of secure immigration stamps on 1 August.

The rollout of the new tamper-proof immigration control stamps represents a major step in combating passport fraud.

Developed in partnership with Government Printing Works, each stamp is individually assigned to an immigration officer; uniquely numbered; and integrated into the national movement control system.

This system will help identify misuse and improve accountability.

The older, less secure stamps, which had become prone to forgery, were officially withdrawn from circulation.

The BMA confirmed that redesigns of stamps used in health, agriculture and environmental functions are also underway.

The BMA highlighted its commitment to modernising border control through technological innovation.

Six Border Guards graduated as certified drone pilots earlier last month. These new pilots will support surveillance, detection of illegal activity, and enhance coverage in vulnerable border regions

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The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has voiced serious concerns over the ongoing lack of funding for the Border Management Authority (BMA), warning that this is weakening the agency’s ability to carry out its core responsibilities.

Committee chairperson Mosa Chabane said that BMA had not received funding to undertake lifestyle audits for all its employees.

This was risky, especially in the context of the environment in which the entity operated. The committee had previously highlighted the importance of frequent lifestyle audits to ensure adherence to ethical standards within the ports of entry and to repel possible acts of corruption and fraud.

The BMA has faced significant funding challenges since its establishment. While it was allocated R1.407 billion for the 2024/25 financial year, this was less than the amount initially requested. Also, a budgetary review indicated an overall underfunding of approximately R10 billion. 

The committee met the Home Affairs Department and the BMA to consider revied annual and strategic plans for the 20025/26 financial year.

It urged the department to accelerate the filling of the vacant position of the deputy director-general for ICT, saying it was an important post.

“Digital transformation of the DHA has been identified as a critical pillar of the strategic plan, and having a dedicated leader will ensure close focus, especially in the context of complexities and cybersecurity risks within the environment,” Chabane told the committee.

While the committee acknowledged the secondment of an ICT official from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the intervention was not permanent.

The committee also highlighted that the perennial challenge of long queues and extended downtime of departmental systems required a skilled and dedicated individual within the ICT sector to develop innovative intervention strategies and solutions.

It reminded Home Affairs officials that government departments were now allowed to procure IT services from private service providers.

The committee resolved to schedule another meeting next week with the department to discuss the way forward regarding challenges at the State Information Technology Agency and the department’s ICT.

It urged Home Affairs to continue extending sufficient funding for its counter-corruption unit because of its impact on fighting fraud and corruption within the department.

“The major headway the unit has made in breaking racket that fraudulently sells the department’s documents must be protected and promoted. The unit must be properly resourced, both in human capacity and technological tools of trade,” Chabane said.

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Following the Border Management Authority (BMA) introducing body-worn cameras, two immigration officials, five undocumented foreign nationals and two suspected facilitators have been arrested at the Beitbridge border post.

The arrests followed extensive movement monitoring and the deployment of advanced technological surveillance at the port of entry, BMA acting commissioner Jane Thupana said in a statement on Thursday.

“This operation reflects the BMA’s firm stance against corruption within its ranks. I applaud the executive members for leading from the front and taking decisive action to restore integrity at one of our busiest ports,” she said.

During the operation, the authorities observed a white Mercedes-Benz taxi parked near a shop at the border post.

Two immigration officials, a 61-year-old women and a 44-year-old man, were seen allegedly receiving a bribe from a facilitator.

The vehicle was intercepted shortly thereafter and was found to be transporting 18 passengers, 13 of whom held valid travel documents, while five were undocumented foreign nationals. A female passenger and the taxi driver, believed to have facilitated the illegal entry, were also arrested.

“We are resolute in disrupting illegal facilitation networks and holding every official accountable to the highest standards of conduct,” Thupana said.

The BMA has suspended the two officials and is awaiting the results of internal disciplinary proceedings and the criminal investigation.

Thupana further noted that the operation strengthened the BMA’s resolve to roll out body-worn cameras across all ports of entry.

For the first time, BMA officials wore the cameras during Easter. A total of 40 of them were deployed across various sites, enhancing monitoring capabilities and supporting real-time accountability.

Beitbridge is South Africa’s busiest land border and a key commercial gateway into the continent.

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Border Management Authority commissioner Michael Masiapato will undertake an oversight visit of port operations at Beitbridge, South Africa’s busiest land border, as part of heightened law enforcement efforts during the Easter period.

Masiapato will be stationed at the port of entry from 21 to 22 April 2025, monitoring the movement of travellers, the deployment of personnel, and the implementation of operational adjustments introduced to accommodate the significant increase in cross-border traffic.

In response to the anticipated surge, the BMA has intensified its presence on the ground, bolstered by the use of advanced technology including surveillance drones and body-worn cameras. These tools form part of the authority’s broader strategy to ensure effective border control and public safety during peak travel periods.

Beitbridge, which serves as a vital commercial and transit route between South Africa and Zimbabwe, plays a key role in regional trade and cross-border travel. Over the past several days, the port has experienced a sharp increase in traffic volumes, with even higher numbers expected as the Easter weekend concludes.

Operational hours at the port have been temporarily extended to accommodate the influx, with BMA officials working in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies to manage the flow of people and goods.

The commissioner’s presence underscores the authority’s commitment to secure, efficient, and well-coordinated border operations during one of the busiest periods on the national calendar.

Travellers have been urged to cooperate with officials and allow for additional processing time as security measures remain firmly in place.

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In a major stride towards enhancing national security, the Home Affairs Ministry and the Border Management Authority have introduced state-of-the-art technology to transform operations at South Africa’s borders.

The new system aims to streamline border control, curb illegal activities and improve surveillance, marking a significant milestone in the country’s commitment to safer, smarter border management.

“It is a step that is based around our commitment to digital transformation. [These devices are] concrete proof of the fruits that follow when we commit ourselves to using technology in smarter and more effective ways,” said Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber told reporters during the unveiling of the technology in Pretoria on Thursday.

He said the technology was key to addressing existing gaps, whether in funding or manpower.

“Today, we will show exactly how we plan to bridge these shortfalls,” he stated, highlighting the crucial role innovation played in strengthening capacity and enhancing the effectiveness of national operations.

“We are going to send a very clear message about the capabilities of BMA as a law enforcement entity and about the huge progress we are making in securing the border environment.”

The minister said that as part of enhanced border security measures, drones equipped with thermal detectors would be deployed at four key border posts, with plans to rotate them across additional locations.

This advanced technology would support BMA officials in detecting and apprehending individuals attempting to illegally cross into the country.

BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato told the media that the drone technology would be rolled out for the first time during the upcoming Easter holidays.

As the busy travel period nears, the BMA is intensifying preparations to ensure safe and efficient movement at all ports of entry.

The Easter operation is a joint effort with the police, army, SA Revenue Service and traffic authorities.

“The Easter period is traditionally characterised by a significant spike in the movement of people and goods across our ports, placing increased demand on the BMA to maintain optimal operational readiness,” said Masiapato.

He said the Easter operation would build on previous achievements and insights, aiming to enhance safety and efficiency.

With increased travel activity expected, authorities stress the need for a unified, strategic approach to manage potential risks and opportunities.

“Working together with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, we will continue to improve critical infrastructure at selected ports of entry. In this regard, we will be deploying additional equipment such as water tankers, generators, ablution facilities and other critical utilities from 15 to 24 April 2025,” Masiapato added.

During this 10-day period, border operations will be intensified with increased deployments, enhanced security and streamlined checks.

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The Border Management Authority has commemorated its second anniversary by unveiling a reinforced strategy to enhance border security.

With renewed focus on strategic enforcement and collaboration, the authority aims to strengthen border control measures for a safe and more secure South Africa.

“As we gather here today, we are reminded of the complexities and challenges of managing borders in the 21st century. The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and the movement of people, goods and services across borders is on the rise.

“This presents both opportunities and challenges for Border Management Authority and for our stakeholders,” BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato told reporters.

Ahead of the G20 Summit in South Africa in November this year, the BMA in collaboration with Brand South Africa and the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGB), hosted a colloquium on immigration and border security in Pretoria on Tuesday.

The event brought together experts and academics in border security, immigration and foreign policy to share insights. The BMA emphasised that these contributions were vital in advancing its mission of securing borders to drive national development.

“The Border Management Authority primarily exists to secure South Africa’s borders and concurrently facilitate legitimate movement of people and goods in all ports of entry and border law enforcement areas,” said Masiapato.

He further said that the BMA played a crucial role in driving economic growth and development by facilitating the smooth movement of people, goods and services across borders while ensuring the safety and security of the country.

According to Masiapato, since BMA’s establishment in April 2023 it has strengthened border security through key operational successes, efficiently managed peak travel seasons, facilitating high-profile events like the BRICS Summit and intercepting over 460,000 illegal entries.

The BMA has intercepted 720 fraudulent documents, 5505kg of dagga worth over R9.3 million, 323 stolen vehicles and counterfeit goods valued at over R717 million. It also screened millions of travellers for diseases and confiscated illegal agricultural products for destruction.

“[We have] arrested 2344 of wanted criminals (of this number 893 linked to other crimes and 1451 linked to the contraventions of immigration related laws), confiscated over 262 explosives used to explode cash-in-transit vehicles and also used in the explosion of rocks during illegal mining operations,” Masiapato added.

Implementing border security and migration laws while addressing humanitarian concerns was a complex challenge, Masiapato told the event.

It demanded a careful balance between enabling lawful trade and travel while tackling irregular immigration, transnational crime and terrorism.

“… we still face very serious challenges in doing this work. Illegal migration, human trafficking and transnational organised crime continue to pose serious threats to our national security and public safety,” he said.

Brand SA CEO Neville Matjie said that immigration policies and procedures were often a foreigner’s first interaction with a country and reflected the country’s national identity of fairness, transparency and inclusivity.

“Immigration plays a central role in shaping this national identity and how we manage and align our immigration processes with a broader image we want to project is of paramount importance,” he said.

Institute of Global Dialogue executive director Philani Mthembu said the intercontinental movement of people did not constitute a dilemma, however, “it is important that the movement of people is managed and documented”.

“It does allow states to plan, to understand what is happening within their respective territories and how it relates to their neighbours. And that requires a multi-dimensional approach that understands also the nexus between border management and trade.”

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