South Africa decry 'non-existent' Beitbridge border post security

In a stark assessment, the South African Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCOD) and the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV) have expressed grave concern over border security, warning that the country's frontiers are operating with minimal control and are vulnerable to illegal crossings.

This follows a recent oversight visit to Limpopo, where MPs inspected the Beitbridge border post and other high-risk areas to evaluate existing security measures.

Malusi Gigaba, chairperson of the JSCOD, criticised government inaction on long-standing concerns.

"The SANDF is severely underfunded. We should have 22 companies patrolling our borders, but currently there are only 15. Even these face critical shortages of personnel, vehicles and modern surveillance tools like drones," he said.

This admission paints a bleak picture of a defence force stretched thin across vast and often inhospitable border terrain.

The SANDF highlighted further challenges, citing insufficient manpower to monitor the borders shared with Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique. Soldiers are required to patrol hundreds of kilometres with limited resources, and the presence of informal settlements near the Limpopo River has complicated matters, with some residents allegedly assisting illegal crossings.

Dakota Legoete, chair of the PCDMV, was equally candid.

"If we are being honest, we don't have functioning borders - and that puts the safety of our country at risk," he said. His comments were echoed by Mr Phiroane Phala, co-chair of the JSCOD, who emphasised the need to balance diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries and the imperative of national security. "We cannot allow people to enter and leave the country without control," he said.

Committee members witnessed the dilapidated state of border fences and identified several areas where illegal crossings are rampant. Soldiers stationed in these zones shared their frustrations over the lack of numbers and support, saying they are unable to effectively monitor the largely unregulated movement of people.

In response, the committees have pledged to strengthen their oversight efforts.

They are advocating for increased funding, improved coordination between departments and modernised border infrastructure. They also plan to engage key stakeholders - including the Border Management Authority, the SANDF, the SAPS and SARS - to develop a more unified response to the crisis, with particular focus on the Beitbridge border post.

The visit comes at a pivotal moment in South Africa's border control strategy, underlining the urgency of interdepartmental cooperation and renewed investment in national security infrastructure.