The National Treasury has told Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber that the sluggish economic growth negatively impacts their ability to fund the protection of borders.
•    The Border Management Authority faces a budget shortfall of R4.3 billion over the medium-term expenditure framework.
•    According to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, the country's weak economic growth has meant less money for the BMA.
•    Despite the budget concerns, the BMA continues to operate, stopping thousands who want to cross into SA illegally.
South Africa's premier border enforcement agency faces a R4.3 billion budget shortfall as the National Treasury cannot fund the protection of the country's borders.

Bean counters at the National Treasury have told Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber that the sluggish economic growth negatively impacts their ability to fund the protection of borders.

This has now forced the Border Management Authority (BMA) to forge stronger relations with other law enforcement agencies to protect the country's extensive border line.

In response to a written parliamentary question from ActionSA MP Lerato Ngobeni, Schreiber said the BMA Operation Unit has conducted a comprehensive analysis of the border enforcement area.

This is to pinpoint high-risk zones that require increased resources to prevent the illegal movement of goods and people, he said.

Schreiber added:
In response to these findings, some resources have been strategically redirected to these critical areas with the goal of mitigating identified risks. However, it is crucial to highlight that significant underfunding of the BMA continues to hinder its capacity to effectively fulfil its mandate of ensuring national security.

Schreiber has said despite the lack of resources, law enforcement agencies are pulling together.
"In the discussion between the Border Management Authority (BMA) and the National Treasury, a significant issue highlighted with regards to prioritising the funding of BMA is the challenges posed by a constrained fiscal environment. Furthermore, National Treasury has stated that the lack of economic growth and financial stability had a negative impact on the available resources which significantly limits the ability to prioritise funding for the BMA," he said.

On top of the strategic reallocation of resources, the BMA has strengthened collaboration with other border law enforcement entities through joint operations.

"This increased cooperation aims to enhance visibility and presence in vulnerable areas, thereby bolstering overall border security efforts. Despite these initiatives, ongoing resource constraints remain a challenge that must be addressed to ensure the BMA can fully deliver on its responsibilities," he said.

At a press briefing on Monday, BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato said South Africa is confronted with a range of complex border-related challenges.

These include illegal migration, sophisticated cross-border crimes, and the smuggling of illicit goods into the country.
"All these realities continue to strain our meagre resources, undermine our national security, economic growth and the zeal for the realisation of regional economic integration. It is for these reasons that South Africa and its neighbouring countries need to establish a robust and integrated resourced border management platform free from criminal activities.

"The BMA is responsible for the facilitation and management of the legitimate movement of people and goods through our 71 ports of entry, of which 52 are land ports of entry, 10 international airports and nine seaports. In this case, our responsibilities include the management of immigration functions, agricultural biosecurity, environmental biosecurity, port health, and general border law enforcement functions, including access control into the ports of entry. These functions extend to include the border law enforcement area which is defined as 10km inside the internationally recognised border line," he said.

Masiapato said the BMA's focus will be the delivery of integrated, effective and efficient processes at the ports of entry.
He stressed that only legitimate persons and goods would be allowed to enter and exit South Africa.

"To achieve this, ports of entry and the vulnerable segments of the border line would be adequately guarded to intercept any transgressor. With Operation Vala Umgodi unfolding, the border guards remain vigilant and prepared to intercept the deported illegal miners and deter them from attempting to illegally re-enter South Africa," he said.

Masiapato also said measures to detect and seize illicit goods such as narcotics and stolen vehicles have been intensified.

You can skip the notoriously long waits at Home Affairs by using the Branch Appointment Booking System, which helps minimize queues and streamline services.

The Branch Appointment Booking System(BABS) makes it easier to avoid the long queues at Home Affairs. Image: Nokulunga Majola
Did you know Home Affairs has simplified access to its services through the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS)? This system aims to reduce long queues and improve efficiency. Here’s how you can benefit from booking an appointment online.

Using the Online Booking System
The BABS system offers quick and easy appointment scheduling. To book, visit www.dha.gov.za and click on the BABS link. This platform allows citizens to schedule visits to selected Home Affairs branches, ensuring streamlined service delivery.

Why Use BABS?
Home Affairs encourages everyone to use the online booking system. Soon, some offices will only process smart ID and passport applications for clients with pre-booked appointments. By booking ahead, you avoid long queues and get served at dedicated counters, making your visit more efficient.

Reducing Long Queues
While the BABS system is a great idea to alleviate the long wait, the long queues may soon be a thing of the past.
On 30 September, Minister Leon Schreiber unveiled a five-year strategic plan to transform the department into a digital-first organisation by 2029.

This plan focuses on reducing in-person visits and bringing Home Affairs services directly to citizens.
Introducing Home Affairs @ Home
The South African Government envisions a future where you no longer need to visit Home Affairs in person. The new initiative, called Home Affairs @Home, aims to eliminate the inconvenience of long queues.

Minister Leon Schreiber highlighted that services will become fully automated and available online. “Rather than going to Home Affairs, our vision under the Government of National Unity is to bring Home Affairs to you,” he stated.

How Will the Digital Service Work?
Routine services, such as applying for IDs, passports, and certificates, will be accessible through a secure, biometrics-linked online platform. Similar to systems used by banks and SARS, this platform will automate application processing. Human intervention will only be required in exceptional cases.

Initially, approved documents will be shipped directly to clients locally and internationally. Eventually, they will be accessible digitally via a secure profile or a mobile wallet app.

A Secure Future
Minister Schreiber emphasised that Home Affairs @ Home will restore integrity to South Africa’s national security. Using biometric technology similar to that securing smartphones and online banking, the system will effectively prevent identity fraud.

Modernising Services
Home Affairs is making significant strides toward modernising its services. By booking appointments online through BABS and embracing upcoming digital initiatives, you can enjoy faster, more secure, and more convenient service.

The United Kingdom has officially launched its largest Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Africa, located in Ikeja, Lagos, through its new commercial partner, VFS Global.This marks a significant milestone in strengthening the UKs visa application services for Nigerian residents.According to the British High Commission, the new VAC, alongside facilities in Abuja and Victoria Island, Lagos, began operations on November 19, 2024, to streamline the visa application process for Nigerians traveling to the UK.The High Commission noted that Nigeria is one of the top markets for UK visas, accounting for 5% of the global total of UK visit visas.With over 225,000 visas processed for Nigerian nationals in the past year, it said the UK remains a popular destination for Nigerian travellers.What they are saying Speaking at the inauguration of the Ikeja centre, British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, remarked:I am delighted to witness the opening of this, the largest visa application centre in Africa. Nigeria remains one of the UKs most important partners, and we hope that VFS delivers ever-improving services for those applying for visas to the UK. Marc Owen, Director of Visa, Status and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), echoed these sentiments:The opening of our new VAC in Ikeja marks an exciting milestone for UKVI and VFS Global. In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225,000 UK visas for Nigerian nationals across all categories. This new partnership demonstrates our commitment to ensuring visa services are accessible, efficient, and meet the needs of all applicants. Enhanced Services for Nigerian Applicants The new VACs offer a range of optional services to enhance convenience for applicants, including:Document Upload Assistance: Support for uploading required documents.Prime Time Appointments: Allowing application submissions outside regular business hours.SMS Notifications: Real-time updates on application status.Document Checking Services: Ensuring application accuracy before submission.¢Courier Passport Return: Applicants can receive their passports via courier once decisions are made.Keep My Passport While Applying: Applicants retain their passports after biometrics submission until a decision is reached.In Abuja, applicants can also opt for the On-Demand Mobile Visa Service, which allows submission from home, office, or other preferred locations. Additionally, the Premium Lounge Service offers a personalised experience with dedicated staff.What you should know The UK has awarded VFS Global the contract to provide visa services in 142 countries, expanding from its previous coverage of 58 nations. In Africa, VFS Global now operates UK Visa Application Centres in 31 countries.VFS Global clarified that the optional services provided are designed to enhance convenience and comfort but do not influence the timeline or outcomes of visa applications.

• Apostille Certification: Submit your notarised documents to the High Court for apostille certification.