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WATCH: Motsoaledi launches border security guards at Beitbridge
14 Jul 2022 at 19:19hrs | Views
The Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi on Thursday launched the Border Management Authority (BMA) programme at the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Motsoaledi unveiled the first group of border guards during a ceremony near Musina in Limpopo. The guards underwent physical and fitness assessments before their deployment.
The department says the guards will be strategically deployed along some segments of the border.
The Border Management Authority Act of 2020 initiative aims to facilitate legal cross-border movement and curb criminality around the border.
Motsoaledi officially welcomed the cohort of 200 qualified guards.
The initiative is expected to play a key role towards tackling issues of border security.
The border faces a stream of problems including trucking congestion during peak seasons and illegal cross-border movement, and smuggling.
Motsoaledi confirmed that the guards will also be responsible for controls on the movement of goods and people, with a specific focus on preventing illegal foreigners from entering the country.
South Africa's land borderline is 4,772km long. This has been divided into 10 segments.
The biggest segment - a 1,500km border between South Africa and Botswana - will not have any new guards deployed there, as this stretch experiences few problems, the minister said. The 950km segment between South Africa and Namibia also experiences few troubles.
However, the eastern side of the country has some very specific border areas that are especially problematic, he said. This includes a relatively small 76km stretch of border between KwaZulu Natal and Mozambique, through which many stolen vehicles are smuggled out of the country.
This segment and four others have been identified as the most vulnerable borderlines that require particular focus by the BMA guards.
Motsoaledi noted that home affairs and its staff are often vulnerable to corruption, but said that the new border guards have been vetted, and will periodically undergo lifestyle audits to ensure behaviour remains above board.
He said the guards have been fully vetted and oriented by all government departments that have a hand in border control – including the SANDF, the Department of Health and the South African Revenue Service.
Motsoaledi unveiled the first group of border guards during a ceremony near Musina in Limpopo. The guards underwent physical and fitness assessments before their deployment.
The department says the guards will be strategically deployed along some segments of the border.
The Border Management Authority Act of 2020 initiative aims to facilitate legal cross-border movement and curb criminality around the border.
Motsoaledi officially welcomed the cohort of 200 qualified guards.
The initiative is expected to play a key role towards tackling issues of border security.
The border faces a stream of problems including trucking congestion during peak seasons and illegal cross-border movement, and smuggling.
Motsoaledi confirmed that the guards will also be responsible for controls on the movement of goods and people, with a specific focus on preventing illegal foreigners from entering the country.
South Africa's land borderline is 4,772km long. This has been divided into 10 segments.
The biggest segment - a 1,500km border between South Africa and Botswana - will not have any new guards deployed there, as this stretch experiences few problems, the minister said. The 950km segment between South Africa and Namibia also experiences few troubles.
However, the eastern side of the country has some very specific border areas that are especially problematic, he said. This includes a relatively small 76km stretch of border between KwaZulu Natal and Mozambique, through which many stolen vehicles are smuggled out of the country.
This segment and four others have been identified as the most vulnerable borderlines that require particular focus by the BMA guards.
Motsoaledi noted that home affairs and its staff are often vulnerable to corruption, but said that the new border guards have been vetted, and will periodically undergo lifestyle audits to ensure behaviour remains above board.
He said the guards have been fully vetted and oriented by all government departments that have a hand in border control – including the SANDF, the Department of Health and the South African Revenue Service.
Source - online
