PRETORIA, Gauteng — The South African government is significantly advancing its border security and migration management efforts through a comprehensive five-point plan, featuring upgraded infrastructure, advanced surveillance technology, and coordinated law enforcement operations, according to senior government officials.
Speaking at a recent media briefing in Pretoria, Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) Chairperson Mmamoloko Kubayi highlighted that significant progress has been made in strengthening border management. She emphasized improved coordination among the various agencies operating at ports of entry and vulnerable border areas as a core component of the national strategy.
Deputy Government Spokesperson William Baloyi elaborated on the strategy, noting that the Cabinet has officially approved a borderline infrastructure improvement plan spanning from 2026 to 2030. This initiative forms part of the broader five-point plan announced by the President in June to address border management and illegal migration comprehensively. Baloyi explained that the approved measures focus on closing policy gaps and implementing tight, automated systems to accurately track who enters the country, their arrival dates, and their authorized duration of stay.
Highlighting recent technological advancements, Baloyi pointed to the President’s launch of a new IT system designed to manage migration at airports. Furthermore, ongoing collaboration between border management authorities and the Department of Home Affairs is prioritizing the securing of critical infrastructure. Phase One of this rollout specifically targets the Beitbridge border post and other Limpopo boundaries, with Phase Two subsequently expanding these upgrades to additional border areas.
Addressing concerns about previous failures, such as the R37 million spent on border fencing that was ultimately vandalized and rendered ineffective, Baloyi stressed the necessity of a holistic approach. He argued that isolated measures, like erecting fences without coordinated security patrols, internal bylaw enforcement, and engagement with neighboring countries, are destined to fail. The government is now actively targeting the “nectar” that attracts illegal crossings—namely unauthorized employment opportunities—by engaging employers to ensure they only hire documented individuals, thereby removing the incentive for irregular migration.
This revised, multi-faceted strategy is already yielding measurable results. Baloyi revealed that over 4,200 individuals were intercepted at border posts in the last four months. Additionally, the government successfully processed 86,596 people for deportation and repatriation over a recent two-month period, underscoring the scale and effectiveness of the operation.
Regarding surveillance technology, the government currently operates five drones along the approximately 4,471-kilometer land border, with nine additional units currently being procured. While acknowledging that 14 drones may seem insufficient for such a vast geographic area, Baloyi clarified that resources are being deployed strategically to the most vulnerable crossing points, supplemented by intensive foot patrols and specialized vehicles.
In a major policy shift, Baloyi also confirmed that all new asylum applications must now be submitted exclusively at border posts, as inland officers will no longer process new applications. To manage the anticipated demand and prevent administrative bottlenecks, the government is transitioning to an automated processing system and has significantly increased personnel deployment at ports of entry to ensure efficient, accessible, and transparent service delivery.
