By REGINALD KANYANE
17 October 2025 – Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans said they are concerned about what they have seen along the country’s border in Musina.
The joint committees’ today concluded their oversight visits with engagements with the Border Management Authority (BMA), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the South African Police Services and the South African Revenue Service on interdepartmental cooperation at Musina Local Municipality.
The committee said the ease at which people flow between South Africa and Zimbabwe while evading established ports of entry and opting to use unofficial entry points operated by crime syndicates was highly concerning. The committee called for a sufficiently equipped SANDF and other border entities in terms of personnel on the ground, technology and other resources.
The Co-Chairperson of the joint standing committee, Dr Malusi Gigaba, noted that Beitbridge is South Africa’s busiest land port of entry, making it one of the hardest to manage. Gigaba emphasised that managing migration to realise its economic development, national security potential and minimise its risks, requires a new paradigm underpinned by management.
“They need to ensure that there is an all-of-government and all-of-society approach. It is necessary to invest in border management infrastructure in order to mitigate against loss of billions of rand as a result of counterfeit goods, the illicit entry and exit of goods that are not declared to SARS.
“This includes other crimes such as car theft and illicit tobacco, among others. The bus that was involved in a fatal accident, where 40 mostly undocumented foreign nationals lost their lives, shows the ease with which people can pass through South Africa’s checkpoints,” he said.
Gigaba further said obviously, the enablers are on their side of the border. He added that the fact that there were large quantities of medicines which were found on the wreckage shows that they were for distribution purposes in another country, which is a further testament that this was an evasive manoeuvre against paying duties.
“Something needs to be done about syndicates that buy trucks and hire drivers to transport illicit goods across border lines. In addition, concerted efforts are needed to find solutions, as South Africa cannot control what happens with its counterparts on the Zimbabwe side.
“Members also called for collection of all the donkeys along the border as they are used to carry out illegal activities. The committee said the engagement with the BMA has exposed a weak and dysfunctional system,” said Gigaba.
He recommended that all departmental entities should improve on their cooperation to disable the enablers and traffickers. Gigaba said it is worrying to think that should the truck scanner that is in use break down due not being properly maintained, this will pose a huge risk as cargo will not be scanned.
“We commend the admirable dedication of soldiers serving along the border, at times without proper equipment. We need to ensure that the challenges they face at the level of technology, equipment and infrastructure are addressed.
“They are making enormous personal sacrifices to protect those of us inside the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Dakota Legoete said: “It has become very clear that the BMA does not have a budget, same as SAPS, Home Affairs and SANDF.
“It is estimated that South Africa losses over R83 Billion rands in illicit goods and substances and one of the national key points where there is a serious national threat is here in Beitbridge, Durban harbour and OR Tambo.”
The Guardian 