Ramaphosa to launch Border Management Authority in Limpopo

Reading Time: < 1 minutes

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to launch the Border Management Authority (BMA) in Musina, Limpopo later this morning.

The aim of the establishment of the BMA is to safeguard South Africa’s ports of entry, which are prone to the illegal movement of people and smuggling of goods.

The BMA is responsible for the country’s management and control of land border posts, airports and seaports.

It was established as a public entity in April this year.

BMA Commissioner, Nakampe Masiapato, says the country now has an integrated border management platform.

“The Border Management Authority is expected to be a stand-alone public entity which is what we call a Schedule 3A public entity. So, for us to be able to establish this BMA, we are trying to integrate all of the various departments that are functional at the ports of entry.”

“The people will be moving out of their departments and they will be integrated into the BMA. So that in the frontline there will be one authority with a single command and control,” says Masiapato.

Communities living in the North West along the border between South Africa and Botswana say poor fencing and a lack of security remain major concerns.

VIDEO: The story below reports more on the Border Management Authority