Pretoria: While challenges remain, progress has been made in strengthening South Africa’s border management systems, Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr. Michael Masiapato, said on Tuesday. “Beside the administrative successes relating to the establishment of the new organisation, there are operational successes, worth mentioning,” he stated.

According to South African Government News Agency, since its establishment in April 2023, the BMA has achieved significant milestones, including the interception of stolen vehicles and the management of international dignitaries and journalists during the BRICS Summit hosted by South Africa in August 2023. The authority has also apprehended over 468,000 individuals attempting illegal entry into the country and arrested 2,344 wanted criminals.

Additionally, the BMA has confiscated over 262 explosives used in illegal mining operations and cash-in-transit heists. Dr. Masiapato emphasized that the BMA was established to create a unified authority for border law enforcement with a single command and control, extending beyond mere passport stamping at entry ports.

Speaking at the High-Level Colloquium on Migration in Pretoria, the Commissioner highlighted the BMA’s role in securing borders while facilitating legitimate movement of people and goods. The BMA Act mandates collaboration with relevant stakeholders to execute border law enforcement at ports of entry and border areas.

The BMA also plays a role in preventing the introduction of invasive species, pests, and diseases, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations like CITES, and monitoring hazardous waste movement to prevent illegal dumping.

The authority inspects food and water imports for health standards and monitors vectors like mosquitoes and ticks to prevent disease spread. Known for its immigration function, the BMA verifies travel documents and monitors people movement for immigration compliance.

In the past 24 months, the BMA has screened millions of travelers for infectious diseases, referring identified cases to medical facilities. Despite these successes, challenges such as illegal migration, human trafficking, and transnational crime persist.

Established under the guidance of the Department of Home Affairs following a 2013 Cabinet decision, the BMA was officially launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 5 October 2023, in Musina, Limpopo.