BMA hopeful tech devices will help curb illegal immigration

BMA official inspects a truck.

The Border Management Authority (BMA) says it is hopeful that the use of technologically advanced devices will help curb illegal immigration at the Maseru Bridge Port of Entry during this festive season.

BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato added that they will also be using a drones at vulnerable areas at the border for their response teams to be able to act swiftly.

Masiapato says this will also ensure that illicit goods do not enter into South Africa.

The BMA Commissioner conducted walkabouts around the Maseru border post between South Africa and Lesotho, as part of the implementation of the BMA ‘s 2025/2026 Festive Season Security Plan.

More than five million people are expected to cross land borders between South Africa and some neighbouring countries.

Masiapato says the BMA has increased the number of staff to manage the influx of travellers.

“We have top 8 land ports, we only have four drones, so what we do is we deploy the drones where we know there are serious vulnerabilities, but there is also a lot of criminality at those areas. Maseru is one of those areas. You will remember yesterday we were at Ficksburg, we went also to Caledonspoort and there is no drone there. So, what we do is, we move those drones to areas where there are issues.”

As part of overseeing the implementation of the Festive season security, Commissioner Masiapato led by the Ficksburg Bridge PoE Port Commander Ntlaka conducted a walkabout at the Port to assess the state of the Ficksburg Bridge PoE. @TheBMA_SA #SABORDER #IMMIGRATION… pic.twitter.com/SwvWOFzYAo

— The Border Management Authority SA (@TheBMA_SA) December 18, 2025