South Africa’s Parliament has turned its attention to how the country manages its borders.
Lawmakers are debating a new One-Stop Border Post Bill that could reshape cross-border movement, trade, and regional cooperation.
While supporters hail it as a step toward efficiency and economic growth, others warn about its implications for security and human rights.
Border post reform aims to ease legal crossings
The proposed law seeks to simplify the legal movement of people and goods while tightening controls on illegal crossings and smuggling.
As reported by SABC News, supporters argue the Bill will boost trade, reduce congestion at border posts, and strengthen South Africa’s competitiveness in the region.
Stronger SADC cooperation key to border post success
Speaking to SAFM‘s Elvis Presslin, Rise Mzansi Chief Organiser and National Assembly Caucus Whip, Makashule Gana said regional co-operation is essential.
“The co-operation at SADC level, especially in our immediate neighbours is very critical because if anyone that enters South Africa through the land border post, they then pass through the SADC region or they pass through our neighbours.”
Gana added that effective border management requires cooperation beyond South Africa’s side alone.
He said neighbouring countries also need to strengthen their border systems to help ensure more controlled migration and proper documentation of foreign nationals, a move he believes would help ease tensions within South Africa.
Influx of undocumented migrants and illicit goods
“At the moment, unfortunately, there are so many people entering the country that we don’t know who they are, where they come from, or what they are coming to South Africa to do,” he said.
“We also have a lot of illicit goods coming into the country, and there are goods leaving the country whose destinations we do not even know.”
South Africa shares land borders with six neighbouring countries: Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini.
