President Cyril Ramaphosa noted on Monday that ensuring the country’s borders are well-managed and well-protected is key to its security and development.

Last week, Ramaphosa launched the new Border Management Authority (BMA), which is tasked with ensuring that the country’s immigration laws are enforced, and that the borders are well-protected and ports of entry well-managed.

Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that the proliferation of cross-border crime, including illicit trade and illegal migration, as a result of porous borders, is a serious threat to national security and the economy that places strain on already stretched resources and public services, and fuels social instability.

South Africa has 53 land ports of entry, 11 international airports and 8 sea ports. The country’s land border is over 4 800 km long and is shared with six countries.
 
The new authority is now the third armed service in South Africa after the South African Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Service (Saps).

Ramaphosa explained that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has noted that South Africa has become an important transit route for organised criminal networks involved in human trafficking, drugs and small arms smuggling and various other forms of cross-border crime.

“It has also noted that as the economic powerhouse of the region, South Africa continues to attract economic migrants who are undocumented, especially from the Southern African Development Community region,” he noted.

He said that maintaining the integrity of the country’s borders is key if government is to realise the aspiration of every South African living in peace and harmony.

He added that in recent times anti-foreigner sentiment, resulting in acts of violence and harassment, have been seen.

“As a country, we must condemn without reservation all acts of violence against foreign nationals, regardless of their immigration status, and work together to prevent such acts. At the same time, we must recognise that South Africans are justifiably concerned about illegal migration. Like any sovereign nation, we have the right to guarantee the integrity of our borders and provide that all who reside in our borders have a legal right to be here. Those who have sought refuge in South Africa or wish to live and work here are subject to immigration regulations and must adhere to the country’s laws,” Ramaphosa stated.

He noted that through the BMA, government will be able to better prevent the illegal importation and exit of goods, curb illegal migration and human smuggling, and combat cross-border crime.

The BMA will take on the work of several other departments and agencies and is already working with the South African Revenue Service, Saps and SANDF to integrate border management functions.

Ramaphosa said the establishment of the BMA is a significant step towards safer communities, better law enforcement and the growth of South Africa’s economy through greater trade with other countries.