South Africa is bolstering its border security through a suite of modern measures, including the deployment of surveillance drones and traceable immigration stamps. Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Michael Masiapato, disclosed on Sunday, 3 August that eight border guards had undergone drone pilot training, with six successfully graduating.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to combat cross-border crimes such as human trafficking, smuggling, and illegal migration, while also enhancing the country’s surveillance capability in vulnerable areas along its borders.
As part of its anti-corruption efforts, the BMA has also introduced uniquely numbered stamps assigned to individual immigration officers, enabling traceability and accountability in visa processing. In collaboration with the South African Reserve Bank, the BMA is providing specialised training to border personnel in detecting counterfeit currency. Between April and June 2025, the agency processed over 8.5 million passengers and deported nearly 10,000 individuals attempting illegal entry—underscoring the urgency and scale of the reforms being implemented to safeguard national security and preserve the integrity of port operations.