The South African Border Management Authority (BMA) is issuing an urgent plea for permanent infrastructure solutions at the beleaguered Beitbridge border post, citing a compromised fence that is severely hampering efforts to stem illegal crossings from Zimbabwe.
Despite the use of drone surveillance leading to the arrest of more than 600 people attempting to cross illegally since January 1st, BMA officials on the ground describe the state of the border barrier as a critical vulnerability. According to field reports, vast sections of the fence are either non-existent, cut, or so poorly constructed that individuals can breach it with their bare hands.
The problem is twofold, involving both aged and new infrastructure. A roughly 20-kilometer section of fencing, originally erected during the apartheid era, remains in place. Adjacent to it is a newer 40-kilometer fence, constructed in 2020 at a cost of R37 million to taxpayers. Officials and oversight committees, including Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) and the defence committee, have previously declared this new fence “unfit for purpose.”
A reporter on the ground observed clear breach points, describing one area as a “passageway” used as a major entrance for illegal immigrants. The situation is compounded by sophisticated smuggling operations. Reporters witnessed evidence of cross-border criminal activity, including trucks loading goods on the Zimbabwean side of the Limpopo River and transporting them via boat to South Africa.
Furthermore, BMA Commissioner Dr. Mike Masipa highlighted the persistent challenge of “facilitators” or “spotters,” known locally as “gumas.” These individuals monitor patrol movements of the BMA and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and guide people across the river and through the fence for a fee, often around R400 per person. Masipa confirmed the arrest of several such facilitators in recent operations.
“The BMA says look, we’ve got boots on the ground but are they sufficient? Are they being overwhelmed? That is the biggest problem,” stated the reporter from the border, noting that authorities often encounter the same individuals repeatedly, as they are deported only to attempt the crossing again shortly after.
A significant point of contention is bureaucratic responsibility. When queried about plans to address the fence, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure reportedly referred the inquiry to the Department of Home Affairs, stating Home Affairs allocates funding for new infrastructure. This “passing the buck,” as described on scene, leaves the BMA in a difficult position. Officials emphasized they are not permitted to repair or maintain the fence themselves, as it falls under the mandate of another government agency.
Commissioner Masipa detailed the scale of daily interceptions, noting recent operations that apprehended between 30 and 99 individuals in a single day. However, he and other officials stress that technological and manpower efforts are being consistently undermined by the physical state of the border infrastructure.
The BMA is calling for a coordinated, long-term government solution, not only for Beitbridge but for all 52 land ports of entry. They are also appealing for enhanced cooperation from Zimbabwean counterparts to process and deter intercepted individuals on the other side of the border.
With illegal crossings described as a “lucrative trade” and the fence presenting a persistent and expensive failure, the call from the border is for decisive action to secure a critical national boundary.