Opportunity Issue 108

BORDER SECURITY
Republic,” notes the Commissioner. Dr Masiapato continues, “Also,
to ensure that as we streamline the movement of trade between
us and our neighbouring jurisdictions and among the broader
global community, we look after the country’s national security
and interest and protect the Republic from any infiltration of
undesirable individuals or even commodities that are a threat to
the country’s sustenance.”
A more centralised and efficient system will help to iron out the
bureaucracy that might have delayed operations at the various
ports of entry, something which was not beneficial to the country’s
trading environment and reputation. The BMA aims to streamline
procedures with the aim of promoting and facilitating better
trading conditions. Comments Dr Masiapato, “One of the biggest
upsides of an efficiently functioning BMA will be to improve trade
between South Africa and its neighbours.” Agents at ports of entry
(land, air and sea) will be trained in a risk-based approach, intended
to improve the chances of being able to identify individuals who
should be intercepted and prevented from committing criminal
activities. South Africa has 52 land ports of entry, together with
10 international airports and nine seaports. The land border
alone is more than 4 800km long and so the task of policing and
administering the border is a big one.
The BMA is South Africa’s third armed law enforcement
authority, together with the South African Police Service
and the South African National Defence Force, and as such
reports to President Cyril Ramaphosa as the Commander
in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic.
Qualified personnel
The first person to carry the title of Commissioner and CEO of
the BMA is Dr Mike Masiapato, who brings to the task more than
two decades of experience within national intelligence. He is a
twice-qualified doctor with PhD degrees in Public Management
and Governance. Having been appointed to senior positions in
the military, the police services, civilian intelligence and financial
intelligence, Dr Masiapato has deep experience of the kinds of
threats and challenges to national security that South Africa faces.
Jane Thupana is Deputy Commissioner: Corporate Services. The
latest post that she held prior to her secondment to the BMA
was Executive Chairperson of the Municipal Demarcation Board
of South Africa. Having worked in executive positions within the
public sector for more than 20 years, Thupana has Master’s degrees
in Public Administration and Business Leadership, a diploma in
Developmental Studies and a degree in Geography. She is known
as an independent researcher and an expert in governance.
The other Deputy Commissioner is responsible for Operations.
In that field, General David Chilembe (Retired), is eminently
qualified, having been in charge of border policing for a decade
and a half. He has a BTech in policing, a postgraduate degree in
management and rose to the rank of Major-General within the
South African Police Service (SAPS).
General David Chilembe, Deputy Commissioner: Operations
(left), with fellow Deputy Commissioner: Corporate Services, MJJ
Thupana, and Commissioner Dr Masiapato.
For more information on the Border Management Authority,
contact www.bma.gov.za
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