The Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs has voiced its strong backing for the Border Management Authority (BMA) as it grapples with a significant budget shortfall threatening its operations. The committee emphasized the urgent need for increased funding to support the BMA's crucial role in managing border security and combating illegal immigration.
The Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs has expressed its strong support for the Border Management Authority's (BMA) request for increased financial resources to effectively carry out its operations. Committee chairperson Mosa Chabane highlighted a significant transformation in managing ports of entry since the BMA's establishment during a media briefing on Tuesday. He emphasized the collective responsibility to assist the BMA's crucial work.
Chabane's statement comes in response to the BMA facing a substantial R4.5 billion budget shortfall that threatens its operations over the next three years. This deficit is projected to negatively impact vital areas such as human resources, technology investments, and the procurement of essential equipment. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber previously revealed that the BMA's medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) shortfall amounted to R4.353 billion. This was attributed to the entity not receiving the full funding request from the National Treasury. Schreiber explained that while transferring departments accurately budgeted for employee compensation, they failed to allocate a comprehensive budget for goods and services.The BMA's approved organizational structure accommodates 11,115 positions, but only 2,566 are currently filled, leaving 8,549 vacancies as of June's end. Schreiber stated that within the MTEF period, the BMA needs to fill 3,207 positions to align with the approved organogram. The urgent need for capacitation, he emphasized, lies in the ports of entry, including critical support roles essential for governance. Schreiber further highlighted the critical need for the BMA to invest in ICT infrastructure to ensure efficient delivery of its mandate. He pointed out that the National Treasury declined R2.9 billion in funding for the fiscal year 2023-24. The BMA's application for R500 million from the Criminal Assets Recovery Account within the Department of Constitutional Development to procure vital tools was also partly approved, receiving only R150 million. Schreiber stressed that the requested funds were intended for specialized capital equipment procurement. He mentioned that border fencing is in a dilapidated state and requires substantial funding to enhance the BMA's strategic operations. Both Schreiber and former minister Aaron Motsoaledi have raised this issue with the committee. Chabane warned that without increased funding, including staff and border guards, the BMA's mandate would be compromised. He advised the BMA to develop a comprehensive business proposal and submit it to the National Treasury. Chabane expressed hope that the National Treasury would consider the BMA's funding request and those of other security cluster departments related to law enforcement work
BORDER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY BUDGET SHORTFALL PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE HOME AFFAIRS SECURITY SOUTH AFRICA
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