SA’s porous borders | BMA hoping for more staff in the long term

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s porous borders are not being helped by an understaffed Border Management Authority.

The monitoring agency was launched in October last year.

This was more than ten years after plans for its establishment were first announced.

READ: Thousands intercepted at Lebombo and Beitbridge border posts

In that time, the country’s land entries have become increasingly nightmarish for officials.

There is no certainty on just how many migrants have come through without proper documentation from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho.

On Sunday, the authority confirmed turning back 27,000 people in six weeks over the festive period.

As they work to make the BMA fully operational by 2030, commissioner Mike Masiapato is hoping to add to his lean staff complement.