Facing a persistent lack of government funding, the Border Management Authority (BMA) has announced it will implement a “cost recovery model,” charging travellers and conveyances for certain services to generate essential revenue. The revelation came during a preview of the authority’s upcoming festive season operational plan.
With millions of travellers expected to move through the country’s ports of entry this festive season, BMA officials outlined their strategy to manage the influx while grappling with financial constraints.
The BMA’s Assistant Director, confirmed that the funding issue remains a critical challenge. “Unfortunately the issue of financial resources is still a challenge,” he stated. “We were hoping that through the medium-term budget policy statement we would be getting some resources but we didn’t get anything as we expected.”
Instead of “just complaining,” he said the authority has decided to “identify some of the services that we can obviously charge travellers and also the conveyances.” This new revenue-generation plan is part of a broader effort to capacitate ports of entry without additional treasury funding. Other measures include deploying head office personnel and shifting staff from quieter ports to busier, more vulnerable ones.
The briefing highlighted several key ports of concern. Tambo International Airport and the Libombo land port were noted as having previously received a high influx of travellers. The authority is preparing for similar pressure, expecting to process around 5 million people, a figure consistent with last year’s festive season volume.
To bolster security, the BMA will deploy an array of technological resources. He confirmed the use of drones, which he said produced “good results” in previous seasons in catching those attempting to cross illegally. The authority will also utilise body-worn cameras, with 40 currently available and a further 40 expected from a partner entity.
Infrastructure upgrades at six priority ports of entry, including Limpopo Bridge and Oshoek, are reportedly at an “advanced stage,” managed by National Treasury and the Department of Home Affairs.
Addressing the perennial issue of corruption among border officials, he outlined a multi-pronged approach combining awareness campaigns, partnerships with the Department of Correctional Services to have inmates share experiences with officers, and disciplinary action. “We are arresting those who are involved… some of them have been dismissed,” he said.
The full details of the festive season plan, including extended operational hours at certain ports and coordination with traffic departments to manage key corridors, will be formally unveiled by the BMA Commissioner. The announcement will also include the authority’s Quarter 2 performance report and reminders to travellers about immigration, health, and agricultural requirements.