from BAATSHEBA RAMASHALA in Musina
Limpopo Bureau
MUSINA, (CAJ News) – SOUTH Africa’s border management reforms are showing measurable results, with illegal crossing attempts dropping by 24% over the Easter period, according to recent figures released by the Border Management Authority (BMA).
The improvement has been welcomed by the Democratic Alliance (DA), which credited Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber’s “no-nonsense” approach to border security for strengthening enforcement and improving efficiency at key entry points.
Major ports of entry, including the Lebombo border post, recorded a 21% increase in travellers processed, reflecting improved throughput alongside tighter security controls.
DA spokesperson on Home Affairs, Adrian Roos, said the latest developments demonstrate a shift towards a more structured and technology-driven border management system.
“The DA’s approach is clear: make it easier for tourists and investors to enter South Africa legally, while making it far more difficult for illegal immigration to occur,” Roos said. “Although years of neglect left borders vulnerable, meaningful progress is now being made.”
Roos highlighted the introduction of drone technology in 2024 as a key milestone in modernising border surveillance. He said the deployment of drones in high-risk areas significantly improved monitoring capacity and revealed the scale of previously undetected illegal crossings.
“A 215% increase in interceptions demonstrated a shift from reactive enforcement to proactive detection and deterrence,” he said.
According to Roos, reforms were further strengthened in 2025 through expanded drone coverage and the rollout of body-worn cameras for border officials. The devices, integrated with a Digital Evidence Management System, are intended to improve accountability, strengthen prosecutions and reduce corruption.
“These cameras ensure that footage can be used in court, helping to expose corruption and dismantle criminal networks,” Roos said.
By 2026, the cumulative impact of these interventions has reportedly led to the dismissal of 50 corrupt border officials, alongside a 22% increase in arrests linked to the facilitation of illegal immigration.
Roos said the combined effect of stronger enforcement and accountability measures is now acting as a clear deterrent, with fewer individuals attempting illegal crossings and more opting to use official immigration channels.
He added that internal enforcement operations have also been significantly strengthened, with deportations improving by 46% and a tenfold increase in inland enforcement actions.
“This reflects a consistent, law-based approach to immigration enforcement,” Roos said.
The DA says the results underscore the importance of continued investment in technology, accountability mechanisms and professional border management to secure South Africa’s borders while supporting legitimate movement of people and trade.
– CAJ News