Border Management Authority achieves 92% target success despite challenges

The South African Border Management Authority (BMA) has achieved 11 out of its 12 quarterly targets to shore up the country's boundary points, resulting in a 92% success rate as outlined in its Annual Performance Plan, despite its ongoing and well-known challenges.

In presenting the quarterly performance report on Sunday in Pretoria, Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato stated that this quarter was characterised by heightened operational activities, primarily driven by the number of preparatory meetings for the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

“During this three-month quarter, the BMA facilitated a number of dignitaries who attended more than forty (40) various G20 track meetings across different parts of the country,” he said.

During the second quarter of the financial year, BMA officers processed 9,283,658 travellers entering and leaving South Africa, representing an increase of nearly 23% in comparison to the same period in 2023 (7,576,650), according to Masiapato.

He said the Grobler's Bridge port of entry with Botswana facilitated the entry of a significant number of members from the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), attending their September pilgrimage at the City of Moria in Limpopo Province.

“With the help of surveillance technology, mainly drones, about 8,135 apprehensions were made across various ports of entry and the respective vulnerable segments. Of these, 4,092 were undocumented, 2,061 were inadmissible, and 1,982 were classified as undesirables,” Masiapato explained.

The commissioner stated that the majority of the intercepted foreign nationals were Basotho, followed by Mozambicans, Zimbabweans, and Swati nationals.

“Incrementally, the border guards have been able to prevent about 505,065 individuals from entering the country illegally since the deployment of the first contingent in July 2022,” he said.

Masiapato also mentioned that about 15 high-powered suspected stolen vehicles were intercepted as criminal syndicates attempted to smuggle them out of the country. “The vehicles were handed over to members of the SAPS for further processing,” he said.

Regarding intercepted vehicles, Masiapato stated, “The incremental figure stands at about 349 vehicles since the deployment of the first contingent in July 2022.”

In this quarter, about 1,700 kg of counterfeit clothing and footwear, estimated at R1,280,645, were intercepted at various ports of entry, bringing the incremental value to approximately R220 million. “Officers also intercepted half a kilogram of crystal meth, 240 grams of heroin, and illicit cigarettes valued at R827,500 during this time.”

Masiapato reported that about 40 fraudulent travel documents were confiscated, mainly at OR Tambo, Cape Town, and the Vioolsdrift ports of entry.

“During this quarter, about 172,858 travellers were screened for port health purposes, and about 73 were refused entry for failing to produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate.”

The port health team also processed about 997 mortal remains, of which 964 were being exported while 33 were imports. Unfortunately, about 25 mortal remains were returned due to the failure to produce the required documentation.

He further stated that about 43,729 health-related consignments were presented and processed into the country by our port health teams.

“However, about 5,000 units of illicit birth control pills and 117 medical test kits were intercepted and destroyed, including some skin-lightening creams.

In this regard, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has warned that many of these products contain harmful and illegal ingredients, including high concentrations of mercury, hydroquinone, and tropical steroids, which pose serious health risks such as skin damage, kidney complications, and long-term toxicity,” he added.

Masiapato mentioned that the port health team tested about 969 travellers for malaria, with 57 confirmed positive cases who were transferred to the nearest medical facility.

“In the agricultural sector, about 39,316 consignments were presented and processed into the country. At the same time, about 1,241 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora consignments were presented and processed for entry into the country during this second quarter,” he said.

He said the BMA, in partnership with Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), secured operational space for the permanent deployment of the coastal guards at the ports of Mossel Bay, Gqeberha, Richards Bay, and East London.

“This is a critical development towards establishing the BMA’s full-time presence in these essential seaports,” he added.

DAILY NEWS