The Director-General of the Zimbabwe Border Ports Authority (ZBPA), Rtd Lt. General, Amb. Nicholas Mahuhuba Dube
Members of the delegation from the Republic of Zimbabwe representing various Departments
The Deputy Commissioner of Corporate Services at the Border Management Authority, Ms Jane Thupana,
Members of the delegation from South Africa representing various Departments
The entire border management community,
Members of the media
Good morning,
The South Africa/Zimbabwe diplomatic relations gained momentum after South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994, although Zimbabwe gained her independence in 1980. As the Border Management Authority: South Africa, we are honoured here today to be welcome you Ambassador Dube and your entire delegation to our shores. Despite the continuous engagements of our officials at the port level, this is our first official diplomatic engagement as the Border Authorities of both South Africa and Zimbabwe at this level.
Our mutual interest on the preservations of our respective national security imperatives and ensuring the effective facilitation of the legitimate movement of people, goods, and services across our respective borders has brought us here. The cooperation and relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe in managing our shared borders is very critical for the protection of our respective national interests. As such, we have a collective responsibility to prevent illegal activities at our ports of entry and the border law enforcement areas such as illegal migration, any kind of smuggling, human trafficking, and all kinds of cross border crimes inclusive of the illegal movement of weapons, and or illicit goods between our countries.
As we cement and strengthen our partnership today, we need to go beyond just diplomatic ties but to ensure that our relations consider all facets underpinning our shared history and the nature of the challenges we have been experiencing. Besides geographic proximity, as countries we do have a common and long history of regional affiliation as well as great aspirations for the development of our two nations.
The South Africa/Zimbabwe border has long been a symbol of the intricate web of connections between the two countries. It is a border that does not just demarcate land but also represents a bridge of cultural, economic, and historical exchanges that we enjoyed over the years. At the same time, the same border environment has also presented challenges of illegal movement of people and illicit goods. Therefore, it is in our interest to ensure effective border management which is crucial for ensuring the ultimate prosperity of both South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Although cooperation on border management matters commonly embraces the aspects of enforcing territorial sovereignties, it also streamlines efforts for fostering economic growth and improvement in trade relations between nations. As the two jurisdictions within this sub-region, we have the responsibility to drive the objective of regional economic integration as articulated in the many resolutions of our leadership within the SADC context. This is not just a matter of policy but a reflection of the shared commitment to regional stability and development of which Border Authority has to ensure the realisation of such an objective.
This meeting is a demonstration to the commitment to address our common challenges and a quest to improving the quality of life for citizens on both our countries. The engagements should go beyond just bureaucratic procedures but must embody the spirit of partnership and shared aspirations to work together for the better management of our border environment.
As the Border Management Authority: South Africa, we are encouraged by the processes undertaken by the Government of Zimbabwe in the development of the country’s Border Ports Authority Bill. This is critical towards the establishment of the Zimbabwean Border Ports Authority which carry similar resemblance our Border Management Authority.
As South Africa, we are committed to sharing some lessons on our journey of 15 years in the establishment of the Border Management Authority. We do believe that moving away from a multi-agency approach to an integrated border management model with a single command and control is the key step towards effective border management.
Our focus must be on legitimate movement to grow the economy of the region and the realisation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement. We are therefore looking forward to the positive outcomes of our deliberations.
Let us build the Africa we want.
Enquiries:
Mmemme Mogotsi, mmemme.mogotsi@bma.gov.za or +27 72 856 4288
Spokesperson and Deputy Assistant Commissioner: Communication and Marketing
ISSUED BY THE BORDER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (BMA)
