The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has raised alarm over the severe underfunding of the Border Management Authority (BMA), warning that financial constraints are undermining the agency’s ability to secure South Africa’s borders and implement critical cybersecurity measures.
Chairperson Mosa Chabane expressed deep concern during a recent interview, revealing that the BMA—established just three years ago—has received only 30% of its requested operational budget, severely limiting its capacity to combat corruption and illegal cross-border activities.
Chronic Underfunding Hinders Operations
Chabane highlighted that despite the BMA’s demonstrated successes—such as intercepting stolen vehicles and cracking down on corruption—the lack of funding jeopardizes its long-term effectiveness.
“The BMA has shown what it can do with limited resources, but chronic underfunding will impede its ability to function,” Chabane stated. “We need urgent intervention, including possible budget adjustments, to address this.”
The agency had initially requested R3 billion in 2023 but was granted a fraction of that amount. While an additional R150 million was later allocated for essential tools like surveillance drones, Chabane stressed that this remains insufficient.
Risks of Continued Neglect
The committee warned that without proper funding, South Africa’s borders remain vulnerable to illegal activities, including smuggling and undocumented migration. Chabane pointed to recent instability in Mozambique as an example where the BMA’s limited resources were stretched thin in managing border security.
“If we don’t invest in border technology and personnel, we risk reverting to the same porous borders that the BMA was created to fix,” he said.
Calls for Treasury Intervention
While private funding—similar to mechanisms used by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)—was suggested as a potential solution, Chabane emphasized that any financial support must align with constitutional frameworks. The committee is now pushing for urgent engagement with National Treasury to secure additional funds in the upcoming budget adjustments.
As the BMA struggles to fulfill its mandate, the Home Affairs Committee’s warnings underscore a growing crisis in South Africa’s border security infrastructure—one that demands immediate attention to prevent long-term risks to national stability.