Govt targets illegal migration with R10bn border infrastructure plan
Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, Mmamoloko Kubayi, says R10 billion will be spent on modernising South Africa's border infrastructure as part of efforts to strengthen migration management and combat cross-border crime.
Speaking during a migration panel discussion hosted by former president Kgalema Motlanthe in Sandton on Thursday, Kubayi said the investment will focus on improving border security through upgraded infrastructure and advanced technology.
She said the initiative extends beyond migration control and is aimed at tackling a range of illegal activities occurring along the country's borders.
"It's the borderline, it's the technology that we'll use for the drones, it's the border itself where we are actually upgrading to ensure that it can deal with what we need to modernise and all that. But that is also not going to help us only to deal with the migration, but it will help us to deal with the illicit activities."
Kubayi said the government is taking a broader approach to border management, recognising that illegal movement involves not only people but also goods entering and leaving the country unlawfully.
"The cars that are being taken out through illegal activities…it's activities not only of movement of people, but of goods. So the groceries that are stolen, not paid tax on, the illicit cigarettes, the illicit alcohol that is being done. So we're looking at it from a holistic point of view to respond to the challenge."
The announcement comes as South Africa continues to implement stricter migration measures.
Over the past two months, more than 35,000 people have been processed through repatriation and deportation procedures since the measures came into effect in June.
Several countries, including Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, have also arranged voluntary repatriation flights and bus services following weeks of unrest, looting and attacks targeting foreign nationals that left four people dead.
Kubayi also stressed that the government is strengthening the enforcement of the rule of law, saying authorities are taking action against individuals who resort to vigilantism or take the law into their own hands.
She acknowledged criticism from some South Africans who believe enforcement should focus only on undocumented foreign nationals.
"Those who are within the borders of South Africa, whether you're South African or non-South Africans, the rule of law must be able to be observed. But again, the issue for us, we say it poses more challenges and which are real issues, because what the migration IMC has allowed us to do is to drill deeper into the issues."
Kubayi said maintaining law and order is essential to preventing disorder and ensuring stability.
"There cannot be a country without laws. And when people don't observe the laws, it's a problem because then you have chaos. So, both sides, those who are within the borders, the message is clear, operate legally."
