Implementing robust surveillance systems, enhancing border infrastructure, and fostering transparency are critical steps toward mitigating the adverse effects of border-related illicit activities on South Africa's economy and society.

South Africa is ramping up border security this Easter with the deployment of cutting-edge surveillance technology, including drones equipped with advanced night vision and thermal detection systems, and 40 body-worn cameras for frontline officers.

Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber, speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, April 10, described the rollout as the “biggest step forward for enhancing border security and management.”  “Data shows that when we first trialed the use of drones over the festive season, the number of attempted illegal crossings that were successfully prevented increased by 215%,” said Schreiber. He added that the Border Management Authority (BMA) will now permanently deploy drone technology.

Four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be used at the country’s ports of entry during the long weekend. The drones, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), can detect body heat, track moving people or vehicles, and operate in GPS-denied or underground environments. Capable of speeds up to 43 kilometres per hour, the drones will monitor remote and rural areas where illegal border crossings are common.

In addition to drones, 40 body-worn cameras will be issued to port officials to combat corruption and enhance service delivery monitoring. The footage from these cameras will be managed via a dedicated Digital Evidence Management System, ensuring it is legally admissible in court.

BMA Commissioner Dr. Michael Masiapato said the 2025 Easter Operation builds on the success of the 2024/25 festive season plan, during which more than 5 million travelers were processed across 71 ports of entry.

The deployment of advanced surveillance technology marks a crucial step in protecting South Africa’s economy from the costly impacts of cross-border crime.

According to a 2019 report by the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT) titled Illicit Trade in South Africa: Challenges and Solutions, illicit activities such as smuggling, illegal mining, and trafficking continue to erode the country’s economic and social progress. These crimes drain capital urgently needed for development and improved living standards.

The issue is exacerbated by South Africa’s long, porous borders and regional integration through the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which allows illicit goods to enter the country through foreign ports with weaker oversight and enforcement, the report adds.

TRACIT’s 2023 report, Organized Crime, Corruption and Illicit Trade: Spotlight on South Africa, cites estimates from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) showing that illicit trade costs the national economy approximately R100 billion (USD 5.9 billion) each year.

By introducing AI-powered drones, body-worn cameras, and digital evidence management tools, the Border Management Authority aims to reduce these losses, secure legal trade routes, and support broader efforts to modernize South Africa’s border infrastructure.

Hikmatu Bilali