Border authorities under pressure as six million travellers expected to enter South Africa
Despite operating at just 24% capacity, the BMA has stopped over 595,000 illegal entries and prevented nearly a billion rand in cigarette smuggling, highlighting successes amid challenges during the festive travel period.
Image: Supplied/BMA
The Border Management Authority (BMA) says it expects to surpass six million travellers during this year’s festive season, after processing just over five million in previous years.
Speaking to the media, BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said, “Last year we were just around 5 million. So we do believe that this time around we should be able to surpass the 6 million number.”
He highlighted that only ten of South Africa’s 71 ports of entry process over 75% of travellers, including OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, and key land ports such as Beitbridge, Lubombo, Oshoek, Ficksburg, Maseru Bridge, and Caledonspoort.
Masiapato warned that the authority is operating under severe staff shortages and ageing infrastructure, requiring collaboration with other departments.
He said festive operations began on 10 December with the exit leg, running until 31 December, followed by the return leg from 1 to 15 January 2026.
“During this particular period, as the Border Management Authority, we become seriously pressured to be able to deliver on this mandate,” he said.
The BMA is operating at just 24% capacity while facing a shortfall of over 70% in personnel. To mitigate this, officials from the Department of Safety and Security, local municipalities, and tourism monitors from the Department of Tourism - around 160 in total - have been deployed to assist across critical ports of entry, he said.
On the integration of police personnel under a single command, Masiapato said technical discussions have taken place, but finalisation awaits political guidance.
“The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, together with the Minister of Police they are actually engaging. As soon as they are ready, we will implement as they guide us,” he explained.
Previous integrations with staff from Home Affairs, Health, Agriculture, and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment were completed by April 2023, he added.
Infrastructure at ports remains a major challenge. Masiapato acknowledged, “This infrastructure here, this is not the kind of infrastructure that we actually would need to be able to do this work more effectively,” but said a public-private partnership (PPP) is set to redevelop six major land commercial ports, including Beitbridge, Lubombo, Oshoek, Ficksburg, Maseru Bridge, and Caledonspoort.
Final approval from National Treasury is expected in the new year, after which redevelopment will begin, he said.
Regional collaboration is also critical. Co-location initiatives with neighbouring countries, such as Mozambique, integrate customs and immigration procedures to improve efficiency for cargo trucks and travellers.
Similar arrangements are being coordinated with Lesotho to manage expected traffic surges during the festive season, Masiapato said.
He highlighted successes in corridor management and law enforcement.
“Historically, we used to have chaos. One of our strategic successes is the ability to marshal all the various stakeholders to make sure that from a corridor management point of view, we are very much stable,” he said.
Since operations began, the BMA has stopped over 595,000 individuals attempting illegal entry, over 395 vehicles, and prevented illegal importation of cigarettes valued at nearly a billion rand at the northern border.
Masiapato emphasised the importance of compliance with travel requirements, urging travellers to carry valid documentation and arrive at ports of entry early.
“People must come to the port with requisite documents. People must be able to make sure that when they come to the port, they actually come a bit early and not create chaos on the corridor. They will definitely be processed accordingly,” he said.
He also stressed the dangers of crossing borders outside official ports of entry, warning against unsafe practices such as attempting to cross rivers or using informal routes.
The commissioner appealed for additional resources to allow the BMA to fully meet its mandate.
“If we can get some bit of additional resources so that we can be able to be fully capacitated, we will be able to deliver on this legislative mandate that we have been given,” he said.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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