Border Management Authority to become operational next year

Source: Defence Web, 15/12/2017

According to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Cabinet is expected
to approve the long-awaited establishment of the Border Management
Authority (BMA) early next year.

SAnews, reporting on this week’s DHA briefing for festive season plans
at South Africa’s authorised ports of entry, names the new entity as
the Border Management Agency. This was the name given when it was
first mooted but was subsequently changed to “authority” so as to give
it more standing.

DHA maintains plans are at an advanced stage for the establishment of
the BMA to curb illegal immigration. The government publication notes
the BMA will be led by DHA under the leadership of Minister Ayanda
Dlodlo. She was moved into the post by President Jacob Zuma during his
most recent Cabinet reshuffle in October.

This single authority for border law enforcement provides the
potential for more cost-effective services as well as enhanced
security and management of the border environment SAnews stated.

“The establishment of the BMA represents a radical shift from the
colonial and apartheid systems that were informed by a desire and
mission to create and sustain racism, hostilities and hatred among the
people rather than dignified migration,” DHA said in a statement
earlier this year.


Through the authority DHA will focus on building the right set of
skills for border guard officials. They would also establish modern
and secure infrastructure and information and communication technology
platforms to meet universal standards. The BMA would not only be
beneficial to South Africa, but it will benefit destination countries
as well.

Previous Home Affairs Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize said in May a big
challenge at South Africa’s 72 ports of entry was the lack of
co-ordination between government departments and agencies, at times
operating on conflicting policy positions.

“The consequence of inefficient and ineffective border management
often leads to poor service rendered to traders and travellers at
ports of entry. This impacts negatively and creates a breeding ground
for corruption,” Mkhize said at the time.

Cabinet took a decision in June 2013 to establish a Border Management
Agency to improve management at ports of entry and the borderline.

It subsequently endorsed a vision for the BMA in 2014. The BMA Bill
has been through an extensive consultation process.

Over 40 million people enter and leave the country on an annual basis
for reasons including asylum, economic, educational and training
opportunities, tourism and leisure -- thus the need for an effective
and efficient border management authority according to SAnews.

According to Home Affairs, the BMA will help prevent, among others,
drug-related crimes, human trafficking, illegitimate movement of goods
and unauthorised movement of persons.

SAnews said Illegal immigration has become a serious challenge for the
country because of its vast borders such as land, air and maritime.

The BMA, as envisaged, will take over all border management functions
at entry and exit points nationally. This leaves thousands of
kilometres of land border where there are no official entry and exit
controls to be patrolled by the SA National Defence Force (SANDF). The
border protection tasking is done under the aegis of Operation Corona
and currently has 15 companies deployed along the landward borders.