ABOUT US
Since 1994, South Africa has been using a multi-agency approach in its border management agenda. In this regard, seven Departments and Agencies, i.e. the Departments of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; Health; and Home Affairs; the South African National Defence Force (SANDF); the South African Police Service (SAPS); and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have a physical presence in our border environment. In order to coordinate and manage the environment as well as the activities of the border environment stakeholders, South Africa adopted and implemented more than five border coordination structures.
Unfortunately, the multi-agency approach was not wholly effective in addressing the national security threats and challenges that prevail in the border environment. In light of this, the South African Cabinet took a decision in June 2013 to establish a Border Management Authority (BMA) in the country premised on a new policy paradigm of integrated border management.
The Authority is responsible for the execution of frontline border law enforcement functions related to, inter alia, port health; immigration control; access control; biosecurity; food safety and phyto-sanitary control; land border infrastructure
development and maintenance; and border information and risk management. It is intended that this new approach will adapt and respond effectively to the challenges, threats and opportunities that exist in the border environment whilst safe-guarding South Africa’s borders and meeting the country’s national, regional and global developmental responsibilities; and human rights imperatives.
The BMA was formally established as Schedule 3A Public Entity on 1 April 2023. This follows the President’s assent of the BMA Act, 2020 in July 2020. The entity was formally launched by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa on 05 October 2023 in Musina, Limpopo Province.
