-
[File image] BMA officials patrolling.
The Border Management Authority (BMA) has arrested 1 385 illegal immigrants over the Easter holidays through the deployment of drones at the Beitbridge border post in Musina.
The BMA Deputy Commissioner, Rudzani Mpilo, says the use of technology has enabled them to curb illegal immigration.
Mpilo says the deployment of drones has helped those direct officials to problematic spots.
“We want to send a strong message to facilitators out there, be a facilitator from South Africa or from the other side of the country. We are sending them a strong message that we are waiting for them. This time around, we are using artificial intelligence in the form of technology that helps us in terms of knowing where we should direct the boots on the ground.”
The joint efforts between the BMA and law enforcement agencies have resulted in the prevention of illicit activities, including the smuggling of people and goods.
BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato says, “We are now actually sitting at the return leg in as far as our Easter operations are concerned. We fairly concluded the exit leg as far as the implementation of our plan, and that was basically from Tuesday last week until Thursday. So, we have been able to implement that successfully now from yesterday, we are on the return leg up to this point, I am very much satisfied, I have been briefed by the port management committee, which is a committee of multi-stakeholders which include the police, bma, which includes the SANDF.”
Dr Masiapato also hails the use of drones and body-worn cameras to combat crime at the port of entry.
“In terms of corruption, the most powerful part of the body cams is that every interaction that our officials have with the traveler is on both audio and virtual in the control room, in other words, in the area of control, where we are able to hear them as they talk to the travelers, as even as they interact with them. so that, on its own, what it does is it actually serves as a deterrent, so that people will not necessarily discuss nefarious activities with the travelers, to the extent that anybody can be given some kind of, some figures and stuff like that, which used to be the, you know, the occurrence, in certain instances. so this time around, should we pick up anybody doing anything like that. Either way, the footage that comes out of this body camera also has the audio, we will be able to use it for consequence management.”
Dr Masiapato says the situation has been smooth in other ports of entry across the country.
The traffic volumes at Beitbridge are expected to surge as travellers make their way back from the Easter holiday.
Some travellers who crossed into South Africa were satisfied with the level of service at the border post.
