BMA sends 400 additional armed guards to South Africa’s troubled borders

The Border Management Authority (BMA) is pleased to announce the arrival of 400 new junior guards, who will be assigned to different locations across the nation’s borders.

BMA adds guards to borders

On Thursday, a pass-out parade was held in Pretoria to welcome 440 recruits.

This development arises amidst grievances from both citizens and politicians concerning the perceived lack of effective borders in the country.

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) and ActionSA are among the political parties responsible for inspecting the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Both parties returned with the message that virtually no visible demarcation separated the two countries.

“The recruitment and deployment of 400 junior border guards is a clear indication that the Government is incrementally implementing efforts to grow the BMA with a clear intention to secure our borders and to promote the safe and regular movement of people in our border environment,” said Dr Mike Masiapato, commissioner and CEO of the BMA.

Both parties returned with the message that virtually no visible demarcation separated the two countries.

The recruits, who have undergone training since September 2023, are scheduled to be deployed on 1 June.

“We need to facilitate and manage the legitimate movement of persons and trade in and out of South Africa. All of them will deployed to the land ports of entry considered to be ‘very problematic’.”

They will be carrying firearms and rifles,” told SABC News.

“Their responsibility will be first to make sure that every port of entry is properly sanitised and we’re able to allow travellers with requisite documentation into the port of entry, which will allow us to fulfil our mandate, which is the legitimate movement of persons and goods across our ports of entry.

“They will also take care of the vulnerable segments on the borderline, particularly to intercept those individuals who will try to avoid coming through the official points of entry but trying to enter the republic through the vulnerable segments on the borderline. Even those who will be involved in any criminal activities in the border law enforcement area.”

The recruits have also been trained in making arrests and taking statements.

BMA operations underway

Migration specialists have emphasised the importance of adopting a holistic approach considering border security, human rights, and regional development.

According to the Border Management Authority (BMA), over the Easter weekend, more than one million individuals passed through South Africa’s entry points, marking an increase of over 24% compared to the previous year.

In a briefing on Sunday, BMA commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said: “On the movement of people, we facilitated about 1 136 250 travellers across our 71 ports of entry in the period of 10 days between Tuesday, 26 March to Thursday, 4 April.”

He further commented, “In comparison to the Easter period of 2023, during which we recorded 913 859 individuals, we observed an additional 222 391 travellers being facilitated, marking a 24% surge in traveller volume.”

“As is the norm, OR Tambo International Airport, the Lebombo port of entry to Mozambique and the Beit Bridge port of entry to Zimbabwe remained the top three ports which processed the majority of travellers at 528 042.”

The number of vacationers boarding cruise ships at Cape Town harbour, heading to diverse destinations, rose.

Additionally, the BMA handled 36 675 private vehicles, 1 893 minibus taxis, 1 309 buses, and passengers from 2 621 aircraft.