The South African government is taking decisive action against corruption at its borders with the launch of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum (BMIACF). The initiative, unveiled today in Pretoria by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber and Advocate Andy Mothibi, head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), aims to strengthen the fight against fraud and corruption that has plagued the country’s entry and exit processes.
During the launch, Schreiber emphasised the need for reform in the border management system, stating that automation at all ports of entry is critical to closing loopholes that facilitate illegal activities. “We are also automating entry and exit at all of South Africa’s ports of entry. This is a major reform,” Schreiber announced, outlining the strategic goals embedded in the Medium-Term Development Plan.
According to Schreiber, this ambitious plan will first focus on the nine international airports, with the goal of implementing the new system at all land and sea ports by the end of the current administration. “These reforms will deliver a systems revolution in border management and the immigration environment,” he stated confidently.
He also noted the challenges faced by the department due to corruption, attributing the crisis to the state capture that has infiltrated various sectors of the country. “Sophisticated syndicates have organised themselves within the Department of Home Affairs to extort and defraud both South Africans and immigrants,” he revealed, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
In a bold statement, Schreiber insisted that the digitisation process would eliminate traditional corrupt practices, such as bribing immigration officials or manipulating documentation. “No more papers that can go missing or be manipulated. No more photo swapping on a Green ID book. No more bribing an immigration officer to manipulate an outcome or to gain entry to our country illegally because you simply cannot bribe a computer,” he assured, reinforcing the commitment to transparency and accountability.
The BMIACF will function as a platform for collaboration between various stakeholders, including government agencies and civil society, to create a united front against corruption. As South African authorities work towards a more secure and efficient border management system, the focus remains steadfast on restoring public trust and ensuring that the borders of the nation operate with integrity.