The Parliamentary oversight committee tasked with funding appropriations for South African government entities wants urgent steps to be taken, along with the necessary political will, to ensure adequate funding for the Border Management Authority (BMA).
The authority, headed by Commissioner Michael Masiapato, is the newest addition to government’s security architecture.
The more money call follows a briefing by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber and his deputy Njabulo Nzuza to the Standing Committee on Appropriations (SCA), chaired by Mmusi Maimane.
The SCA heard the BMA has an approved organisational structure for 11 115 personnel. At present 2 566 positions have been filled, leaving 8 549 vacancies. In the current three-year medium term expenditure framework (MTEF) period, the BMA requires 3 207 positions to be filled so it can begin aligning with the approved structure. Achieving this will necessitate significant additional funding, a Parliamentary Communication Services statement reads, in part.
It quotes Maimane as saying adequate resourcing for the BMA was urgent. “The integrity and sovereignty of our borders are of paramount importance. Currently, the BMA is underfunded by more than R2.2 billion. Without the necessary tools, such as thermal scanners and modern policing technology, the Authority is severely constrained in fulfilling its mandate. Addressing this funding shortfall is vital not only for national security but also to safeguard South Africa against illicit trade, tax evasion and the illegal movement of goods.”
The SCA noted the BMA achieved commendable success through the use of modern technology, including limited deployment of drones and vehicles, but it continues to operate under severe resource constraints. The lack of adequate tools of trade and insufficient funding remain critical barriers to its effectiveness.
On political will the Parliamentary statement has it this is important to assist in overcoming “challenges” faced by the BMA. Abuse of social services by undocumented immigrants, the risks of foreign prisoners trying to “exploit South Africa’s porous borders” and the absence of prisoner exchange agreements with neighbouring countries were given as examples where political will could assist.
