The South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has officially launched a new border force in an attempt to strengthen the country’s weak borders.
The inauguration had taken place in Musina, the home to the hectic Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe.
Ramaphosa had remarked that the increasing numbers of undocumented foreign nationals had “escalated a lot of the country’s social and economic problems”.
Note that Immigration is one of South Africa’s most serious political issues and border management has become disorganised, with pressure on the government to do more to lessen the numbers of people trooping into sub-Saharan Africa’s most developed country from its neighbours.
However, in the same vein, xenophobia by political parties is inciting flames ahead of the 2024 elections, to galvanise support from frustrated South Africans.
Until this latest news, the task of manning the borders had been shared by four different government departments. They had also been participants to the 58 acts of parliament.
The establishment of the Border Management Authority agency meant that South Africa now has an integrated border manning the bureau with a single command and control.
Hundreds of border guards have been appointed and will be working together with the defence force.
They will oversee South Africa’s gateways of entry which includes 8 seaports, 52 land borders and 11 international airports.
The launch had also been attended by Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had met with Mr Ramaphosa earlier on.
