Government is stepping up efforts to secure South Africa’s borders through improved infrastructure, technology, surveillance and coordinated law enforcement operations, as part of the implementation of the Five-Point Plan on Migration Management.
At a media briefing on Tuesday, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi noted that significant progress had been made in strengthening border management and improving coordination among agencies operating at ports of entry and vulnerable border areas.
The minister announced that Cabinet has approved the Borderline Infrastructure Improvement Plan (2026–2030), which will be implemented across all seven border provinces.
The plan is intended to improve border security, patrol mobility, operational response times, personnel safety, infrastructure maintenance and intergovernmental coordination, while deterring illegal cross-border incursions.
More than 4200 intercepted
Despite the progress, government continues to face challenges along the country’s extensive borders.
More than 4 200 undocumented foreign nationals were intercepted attempting to enter South Africa outside formal ports of entry between April and July 2026.
Most were intercepted along the northern corridor bordering Zimbabwe, followed by areas bordering Lesotho and Mozambique.
Almost 90 000 people have been repatriated, while 81 joint border law enforcement operations were conducted in July.
“South Africa has an extensive land borderline of approximately 4471km, shared with six neighbouring countries and traversing varied and challenging terrain. Overtime, border security infrastructure has deteriorated significantly, with large sections of fencing damaged, vandalised, or absent and critical access roads in poor condition.
“This has negatively affected border safeguarding operations, limiting patrol mobility, delayed response time, increased strain on personnel and equipment, and creating vulnerability exploited by illegal crossing, smuggling and transnational crime.
“A cabinet memorandum on the proposed borderline infrastructure improvement solution was approved by cabinet recently and National Treasury is finalising the funding model for the project,” Kubayi said.
Technology to strengthen border control
At the same time, the Department of Home Affairs has intensified efforts to modernise the border management environment through the Electronic Traveller Authorisation and the upgraded Enhanced Movement Control System, launched at OR Tambo International Airport by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 12 August 2026.
The IMC said that the Customs Online Traveller Declaration system also began operating on 1 July 2026 and is functioning without major concerns.
The Minister added that scanners are also operational at all major land ports, airports and seaports.
The Border Management Authority is currently operating five drones at critical border points in Lebombo, Maseru, Oshoek, Beitbridge and KwaZulu-Natal, while procurement of nine additional drones is underway.
About 40 body-worn cameras are also being deployed at critical ports of entry to improve operational visibility and combat internal corruption.
Repatriation operations return to normal
Between 14 June and 20 August 2026, some 86 596 foreign nationals were processed for deportation and repatriation through coordinated law enforcement operations.
Malawians constituted the largest group, followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans.
The IMC’s data indicates that 90% of repatriated foreigners entered the country illegally, with 95% classified as border jumpers.
The Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre in Musina has also since been shut down and decommissioned following a significant decline in demand.
The centre, which had capacity for 20 000 people, processed more than 4000 repatriations at its peak. However, this declined to 58 repatriations in August.
The repatriation operations at the centre were shut down on 21 August 2026, marking a return to normal immigration law enforcement operations.
Government said it would continue working with neighbouring countries and regional structures to strengthen border security and address undocumented migration.
“Government remains committed to improving surveillance, inspections and operational coordination at ports of entry to ensure that South Africa’s borders are secure while facilitating legitimate travel and trade,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
