ActionSA appalled by dysfunctional state of Beitbridge Border Post

“The dysfunctional state of the Beitbridge Border Post between South Africa and Zimbabwe, where the Border Management Authority (BMA) was hastily launched without receiving adequate funding or the transfer of relevant personnel, is emblematic of the lack of political will to tackle porous borders in South Africa,” said ActionSA President Herman Mashaba.

ACTIONSA PRESIDENT SHARES FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE

Mashaba recently visited the Beitbridge Border Post alongside ActionSA Limpopo Premier Candidate, Kgoshi Letsiri Phaahla.

Describing his experience, Mashaba said, “I saw first-hand the dysfunctional state of the facility which – despite having recently been upgraded – is still plagued by inefficiencies and corruption allegations. Only a few meters from the border post, there are gaping holes in border fencing which easily allows people to cross the border illegally, and for goods and drugs to be smuggled into our communities”.

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MASHABA’S OPINION ON THE BEITBRIDGE BORDER POST

He added that the visit to the border post reaffirmed that the current ruling party does not have the political will to address South Africa’s porous borders, and instead allows its continued decay as the country slips into lawlessness.

“It is the poorest South Africans who are the biggest casualties of our country’s porous borders as it is in their communities where counterfeit goods which cause disease and drugs are sold first when they enter the country.”

Mashaba

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PARTY NOT WILLING TO THROW IN THE TOWEL

Mashaba said his party, a pro-poor political party committed to the rule of law, will not allow this continued slide towards lawlessness.

“ActionSA has repeatedly asserted that the problem with South Africa’s immigration regime does not lie with the country’s laws but with the application of those laws by state agencies and the failure to secure our borders. Political will is necessary to turn the situation around, but nearly impossible when the ruling party continually undermines South African law,” he criticised, adding that launching new entities such as the BMA will therefore do little to address the issue unless the rule of law is implemented.

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“At our inaugural policy conference in September, hundreds of delegates adopted a border control policy which embraces legal immigration for economic growth and prosperity, but when people come to the country they should come here legally and adhere to our laws and procedures,” Mashaba explained.

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