POPCRU calls for increased efforts to deter crime at SA’s borders

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The Police and Prisons Civil Right Union (POPCRU) has announced that it is concerned about resource availability at the country’s borders during the festive season.

As such, it will be meeting with the Border Management Authority (BMA) to gain insights into their operational plans for this period and determine how it can assist.

POPCRU President Thulani Ngwenya warns that the festive season brings with it a pronounced increase in cross-border movement, raising fears of a commensurate increase in illicit activities as goods such as drugs, firearms, and stolen goods move into and out of the country. 

“The heightened movement across borders in December poses significant challenges for security, and POPCRU is committed to collaborating with the Border Management Authority to ensure robust operational plans are in place,” he says. 

“We must fortify border resources and strategies to prevent criminals from taking advantage of overwhelmed border posts and officials.”

According to reports, the BMA expects at least six  million people to cross South Africa’s borders during the festive season, leaving most border points severely understaffed.

As a potential solution, the authority is calling for longer border post operating times, and more boots on the ground for this period. This will require a substantial reassignment of police officers and other law enforcement to the border.

Ngwenya notes that the additional 380 border personnel that the BMA plans to deploy to the country’s busiest ports is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to better prevent illegal migration, the shipment of illicit substances and other contraband, and human trafficking.

South Africa has 53  land borders, 11 international airports, and eight seaports which already require greater staffing numbers – a situation that is only aggravated in December when many tourists visit our shores, while South African residents visit neighbouring countries and return again in January.

Recent successes at borders underscore problem of crime 

He praised the exemplary work that the country’s border agents have been doing, even while pointing out that their successes demonstrate the serious criminal activities that have been taking place. 

For example, border agents recently apprehended members of a human trafficking syndicate transporting 443  children under eight years old on 42 buses crossing from Zimbabwe to South Africa.

Additionally, port agents seized drugs to the value of R150  million towed away in meat boxes at the Port of Durban early in December. This came just a few weeks after a similar drug bust to the value of R70 million at the same harbour.

“All border agents and law enforcement members involved must be commended for their diligent work in protecting the vulnerable and saving lives, while bringing perpetrators to justice.

“These types of success stories are vital for winning the trust and confidence of the public, while sending the clear message that criminality will not be tolerated in South Africa.” 

Implementing technological advancements at all points of entry

Likewise, Ngwenya applauded Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi for taking steps to improve the infrastructure and introduce modern control technology at six of the country’s busiest points of entry.

“However, the remaining 66 points of entry also require urgent attention as, combined, they have far higher traffic than the “big six”, he adds.

“These locations require a range of modern border control technologies, ranging from unmanned surveillance technology to integrated information systems which gather and analyse the data to present a clearer picture of border activities.

“The introduction of unmanned aerial vehicles or drones will also provide a more comprehensive view of the country’s land borders without having to deploy thousands of personnel to monitor these borders in person, allowing law enforcement to maximise the efficiency of their resources.” 

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Surveillance systems with facial recognition technology, and other analysis tools augmented by artificial intelligence can further assist border control agents in identifying criminals and illegal activities.

Meanwhile, the addition of information integration systems will enable different border control divisions to instantly share intelligence and co-ordinate to enhance strategies and planning. .

“Ultimately, we don’t only need more boots on the ground at the borders – we also need to prepare and equip our officers with the skills, knowledge and tools needed to identify and deter future criminal activity. 

“If border management is to truly make an impact on crime this festive season, the BMA will need assistance from a range of other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders,” concludes Ngwenya.