Border authorities say critical staffing shortages are undermining efforts to maintain consistent, high-visibility security at South Africa’s ports of entry, forcing the agency to concentrate resources only during peak travel periods.
Commissioner Michael Masiapato of the Border Management Authority (BMA) said the organisation does not currently have the capacity to sustain intensive operations throughout the year, with deployments typically heightened during busy seasons such as the festive period.
The BMA currently employs about 2,500 border guards far below the estimated 11,200 needed to fully secure the country’s borders leaving an approximate shortfall of 8,000 personnel.
Despite the constraints, Masiapato said the authority is increasingly turning to technology to strengthen enforcement efforts. The agency has introduced drones operated by trained border guards to enhance surveillance and detect illegal crossings.
“We now have drones owned by the Border Management Authority, and we’ve trained our own border guards as pilots. They are able to monitor and follow up on illegal migration on a daily basis,” he said, describing the technology as a force multiplier.
Masiapato was speaking in the wake of Thursday night’s State of the Nation Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa, where border security, technology and personnel expansion were flagged as funding priorities.
The commissioner welcomed the commitment, saying additional resources would be critical in closing the staffing gap and strengthening border controls.
“We’re hopeful that the president’s announcement will allow us to build capacity and move closer to full staffing levels,” he said.
For now, officials say innovation is helping to plug the holes but boots on the ground remain in short supply.