Musina: The Border Management Authority (BMA) has expressed serious concerns over the rising incidences of minibus taxis and buses transporting undocumented foreign nationals within inland operations. This issue has prompted the BMA to convene various stakeholders to enhance interventions aimed at combating illegal movements and ensuring compliance with South African laws.
According to South African Government News Agency, the BMA's Commissioner, Dr. Michael Masiapato, is set to visit the Beitbridge Port of Entry in Musina on Thursday. This operational visit aims to monitor activities related to illegal movements and cross-border operations. During the visit, Commissioner Masiapato will lead a Port Management Committee meeting with key law enforcement and border management stakeholders, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the South African Revenue Service (SARS), and Traffic Management authorities.
The BMA's statement outlined that Commissioner Masiapato will also engage with external stakeholders such as bus and taxi operators in the Beitbridge area. The goal is to streamline operations and reinforce compliance measures to ensure the lawful movement of people and goods across the border. A site inspection of vulnerable areas around Beitbridge is also planned.
Earlier this week, Mosa Chabane, Chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, urged the Commissioner of the BMA to urgently address the ongoing issue of undocumented migrants entering South Africa. In response to the urgency and scale of this matter, a committee meeting will take place on 2 June 2026 with the BMA, Home Affairs, and the Cross Border Road Transport Agency to discuss the persistent entry of unroadworthy transport carrying illegal immigrants.
Chabane condemned the dangerous overloading of taxis, highlighting the potential catastrophic consequences if an accident were to occur. He also called on the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster to consider implementing permanent roadblocks at all ports of entry in South Africa.