The African National Congress (ANC) has welcomed the establishment of the Border Management Authority (BMA) as a step towards addressing South Africa’s concerns about illegal immigration, its impact on the economy and government’s ability to create jobs in a manner that is beneficial to South Africans.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday launched the BMA, which he said was a vital link in the country’s efforts to harness the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said this development would result in strict border control and the elimination of corruption and illicit trade, including drugs, alcohol and contraband.

Its mandate will include the execution of frontline border law enforcement functions which include port health, food safety, biosecurity, land border infrastructure and risk management, amongst others.

Ramaphosa said that when the country’s ports of entry and borders were well-protected and well-managed, government was able to prevent the illegal importation and exit of goods.

“We are able to facilitate lawful trade at a greater scale and more efficiently. This is becoming increasingly important as we work with other countries in our region and elsewhere on the continent to increase intra-African trade,” he said.

Ramaphosa noted that a more secure border was important for curbing illegal migration, human smuggling and trafficking. It would help in combating cross-border crime.

BORDER LAW ENFORCEMENT

The BMA is now the third armed service in South Africa after the South African National Defence Force and the South African Police Service.

Ramaphosa highlighted that the BMA was established in response to a number of serious challenges, such as the increase in the number of undocumented foreign nationals entering the country.

He explained that this had exacerbated many of the country’s social and economic problems.

“The movement of persons and goods at ports of entry has often not been as efficient as it should be, resulting in unnecessary delays and increased costs for individuals and companies. This in turn is harming our economy. Deficiencies in border management have also enabled corruption and organised and cross-border crime to thrive. We have faced a problem of fragmentation of powers, responsibility and accountability,” he said.

The ANC said the establishment of the BMA was in line with a vision of a world-class, integrated border law enforcement authority for a safe and prosperous South Africa.

Ramaphosa visited the Beit Bridge Border Post with his Zimbabwean counterpart President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and they agreed that the establishment of the BMA would be an important tool for the development of the region.

It will form part of integrating border management activities in the Southern African Development Community, assisting in working towards eradicating various forms of red tape that were hindering trade, investment and the movement of persons.

The BMA will be redeveloping six ports of entry as one-stop border posts.