Watch VideoBudget 2026 | Border Management Authority to get R990 million to fill 738 critical positions

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwanahas allocated an additional R990 million over the medium term to theBorder Management Authority (BMA)to fill 738 critical positions. The BMA has previously warned that staff shortages were crippling operations at key ports of entry, with only a quarter of its intended workforce in place. During peak periods, border posts such as Lebombo and Beitbridge have struggled with kilometre-long queues as thousands of travellers and freight compete for limited processing capacity.

Delivering his budget speech on Wednesday, the Minister said the additional funding aims to build capacity at the BMA and improve border management. “To support this and other efforts to intensify law and order, spending on peace and security increases from R268.2 billion in 2025/26 to R291.2 billion in 2028/29. The Border Management Authority has been allocated an additional R990 million over the medium term to build capacity by filling 738 positions,” the Minister said.

He added that the funding forms part of broader allocations to strengthen law enforcement and security, including R2.7 billion for defence operations, R1 billion to the police service, and R1 billion to the South African National Defence Force through the Criminal Assets Recovery Account to combat organised crime. “R2.7 billion is added to defence over the medium term to improve operations, including to maintain the South African Air Force’s fighter capability. In addition, we have allocated R1 billion to the police service, and another R1 billion to the SANDF through the CARA fund for the fight against organised crime,” he said.