South Africa MPs Pass Bill To Tighten Border Controls

The Southern African parliament last week passed the Border Management Authority Bill which seeks to, among other things, stop the illegal entry of people through the country’s porous borders as well drug trafficking and smuggling.

South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi hailed the passing of the Bill which was “long overdue”. He said:

I welcome the passing of the Bill by the National Assembly. The BMA will enable the country to manage its borders in a manner that facilitates trade and plugs holes in our porous borders. These porous borders lead to, amongst others, illegal crossing of people, illicit goods, drugs, trafficking of people, particularly of women and children, and stolen vehicles.

South Africa has become a haven for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, with most of them entering the country illegally.

The proliferation of illegal migrants, some of whom are accused of being engaged in criminal activities, has given rise to the flare-up of xenophobic attacks from time to time.

More: Chronicle