`Tighten borders to halt revenue loss`

Source: ANA Reporter, 03/12/2015

Addressing journalists at Beitbridge border post after he had toured
the facility, Gigaba said government was working on legislation to
improve security and movement measures at the ports.
Gigaba conceded South Africa was battling to deal with corruption and
to reduce the amount of counterfeit goods which came into the country
via its various ports of entry.
On some occasion when crime syndicate members had
b

















een
caught, they had been found to be in collusion with Home Affairs
officials and police, he added.
Gigaba said the Border Management Agency Bill would be finalised next
year to pave the way for an agency to take over the management of the
country`s ports of entry.
"We lose lot of revenue from inefficient operation at the present
moment. We lose a lot of revenue because of the criminal syndicates,"
said Gigaba.
Prior to the establishment of the Border Management Agency, a team
would conduct feasibility studies.
Gigaba said a team of engineers would be assembled to guide the
department on how to improve security measures around the ports of entry.
According to the department, five land ports of entry were due to be
overhauled to enhance movement in and out of the country.
"Once they have made that assessment and provide us with proper advice
on what needs to be done to improve ports of entry, we will come into
an environment of infrastructure and system management," he said.
He said the Border Management Agency Bill would be forwarded for
discussion at parliament.
Gigaba said the Border Management Agency would feature a paramilitary
unit while the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) would
focus on protecting the country`s sovereignty.
However, the agency would also feature, among other aspects, Home
Affairs, the police, the defence force, the South African Revenue
Service and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
But, said Gigaba, this would come to an end once the agency came fully
into operation in 2017.
State Security minister David Mahlobo said he believed government was
on the right track to end corruption and the illegal movement of
counterfeit goods in the country.