19.08.2025
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Extra officers deployed to boost C Town airport border control

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  • Leon Schreiber, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and other at partnership launch at Cape Town International Airport, 18 Aug 2025.

Border security at Cape Town International Airport will be bolstered from next month with the deployment of a group of additional law enforcement officers from the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town.

The increase in capacity is part of a partnership between the Department of Home Affairs, the provincial government, and the City of Cape Town.

In total, the City and the province will each contribute 25 personnel, taking the total immigration processing capacity at the airport from 66 to 116 officials.

Border Management Authority Commissioner, Michael Masiapato says, “Here in Cape Town International Airport, we have a very small number of officials. This airport operates on a 24-hour on a daily basis. Once you put them on a shift system, it becomes problematic. You find that you have a cubicle that can hold over twenty or so people, but you will find out there are six officers at work primarily because of the numbers.”

Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber says, “Capacitating the BMA will reduce revenues lost to illicit trade, and it will increase tax collection. It will boost economic growth by implementing modern technology to speed up legitimate trade, boost tourism by rolling out the electronic travel authorisation that we’ve built, and clamp down on illegal crossings.”

The Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town will each be deploying 25 assistant immigration officers to help with border management operations.

Premier of Western Cape Alan Winde adds, “Thank you guys in our respective spaces to actually get out there and get the things done and make sure that we have an opportunity for young people. We also talk about enabling jobs, but even this is enabling a job. And of course, this is your first foray into the world of work and a very, very important space where we talk about the world of work.”

Mayor of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis says, “These staff have been properly trained both by the city of Cape Town, our law enforcement department, and metro police, and by the border management authority in their respective powers. So, we are not deploying people who are under-trained. These guys are top class, properly trained, ready to do their jobs to protect South Africa and to be that welcoming front door for all visitors.”

The recruits will not only help improve operations, but they will also serve as “ambassadors” for the Western Cape and Cape Town, welcoming visitors and adding to their positive experience of the province and the City.

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