BMA boosts capacity at ports ahead of festive season

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has announced plans to increase capacity at South Africa’s ports of entry to curb the movement of undocumented immigrants and stolen goods during the festive season.

BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato outlined measures to handle the anticipated high volume of people and goods, including extended operating hours at certain ports.

“Our focus will be the delivery of integrated, effective, and efficient processes in the ports of entry. Only legitimate persons and goods will be allowed to enter and exit South Africa.  To achieve this, ports of entry and the vulnerable segments of the borderline will be adequately guarded to intercept any transgressors,” says Masiapato.

Border Management Authority briefs media on festive season operations at ports of entry


@TheBMA_SA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato is highlighting that the BMA will be deploying 69 additional personnel at the selected busiest ports of entry to assist with the delivery of services and provision of technical support to the regular staff members. The deployment of… pic.twitter.com/KTIxteoYb5

— The Border Management Authority SA (@TheBMA_SA) December 2, 2024

@TheBMA_SA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato says in the pre-COVID festive period of 2019/2020, the country facilitated about 6.3 million people across our various ports of entry. The numbers decreased in the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 period to about 1.6 million due to COVID… pic.twitter.com/JXJMu3ZVNS

— The Border Management Authority SA (@TheBMA_SA) December 2, 2024

@TheBMA_SA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato is highlighting that, as we enter the festive season, jurisdictions across the world experience a significant increase in the movement of persons and goods at their ports of entry and border law enforcement areas. South Africa is not… pic.twitter.com/G7slq3ytXR

— The Border Management Authority SA (@TheBMA_SA) December 2, 2024