*President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his weekly newsletter to the nation to highlight the importance of the New Border Management Authority (BMA) in boosting the country’s security and development.*
In his newsletter, President Ramaphosa emphasized that ensuring the borders are well-managed and well-protected is key to the security and development of the country. He stated that maintaining the integrity of the country’s borders is crucial in realizing the aspiration of every South African to live in peace and harmony with themselves and their neighbors.
president cyril ramaphosa
President Ramaphosa highlighted the challenges faced on the country’s borders, both historical and contemporary. He pointed out that during the apartheid regime, neighboring countries’ sovereignty was flagrantly disregarded, and illegal cross-border raids were conducted. The regime also abused immigration measures to harass its opponents and enforced policies like influx control and the exploitation of labor from the region.
After the democratic government was elected in 1994, it became a priority to reform the border management and migration regime, not just in the interests of economic growth and development, but also to reflect the broader values of the new state. The government focused on upholding the rights of citizens to freedom of movement and residence, as well as the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers under international conventions. It also aimed to deepen trade and investment between South Africa and other Southern African countries and contribute to the political and economic integration of the African continent.
Over time, the complexities of border management resulted in an uncoordinated approach by various authorities. One of the challenges identified by President Ramaphosa was the involvement of multiple government departments and entities, leading to fragmented efforts and a lack of accountability. This made the country’s borders vulnerable to cross-border crime, illicit trade, and illegal migration.
South Africa has become an important transit route for organized criminal networks involved in human trafficking, drugs, small arms smuggling, and various other forms of cross-border crime. This poses a serious threat to national security and the economy, strains resources and public services, and fuels social instability. President Ramaphosa acknowledged that while anti-foreigner sentiment should be condemned, South Africans have legitimate concerns about illegal migration, and the country has the right to guarantee the integrity of its borders and enforce immigration regulations.
To address these challenges, the Border Management Authority was established. Its primary tasks include enforcing immigration laws, ensuring border protection, managing ports of entry, and combating cross-border crime. The BMA is now the third armed service in South Africa, after the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Service (SAPS). The first officers of the BMA border guard were deployed in July 2021 at vulnerable segments of the border, including informal crossings. However, it is important to note that the SANDF remains responsible for border protection and safeguarding.
President Ramaphosa believes that with the establishment of the BMA, the country will be better equipped to prevent illegal importation and exit of goods, curb illegal migration and human smuggling, and combat cross-border crime. The BMA will work in collaboration with other departments and agencies, such as the South African Revenue Service, SAPS, and SANDF, to integrate border management functions.
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