The Border Management Authority (BMA) is grappling with a staggering R4.5 billion budget shortfall that threatens its operations over the next three years.
The repercussions are expected to affect critical areas such as human resources, technology investment, and essential equipment procurement.
This was revealed by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber in response to a parliamentary inquiry by DA MP Adrian Roos.
“The shortfall for the Border Management Authority over the medium term expenditure framework (MTEF) period is R4.353 billion. The shortfall was as a result of the BMA not having received the full requested funding from the National Treasury,” Schreiber said.
He also said the transferring departments transferred an accurate budget for compensation of employees and did not allocate a comprehensive budget for goods and services.
Now, the DA wants the National Treasury to appear before the home affairs portfolio committee to discuss the funding crisis of the BMA.
Schreiber detailed that the deficit predominantly affects human resources (R3.2 billion), information and communication technology (R757 790), and tools of trade (R350 000). The BMA's approved organisational structure accommodates 11115 positions, yet only 2566 posts are filled, leaving 8549 roles vacant as of the end of June.
“Within the MTEF period, the BMA would be required to fill 3207 positions in order to ensure alignment with the total approved organogram.
“As per approved organisational structure, the area of focus for urgent capacitation is the ports of entry, including the critical support positions, which are critical for governance purposes.”
Schreiber noted that many countries recognise the crucial role that technology plays in enhancing national security in border management by investing in technologies to streamline and bring efficiency in the ports of entry.
“This includes technologies such as satellite surveillance systems and drones for detecting migrants that try to illegally enter their countries.”
He said the BMA was aligned with global direction and understood that in order to successfully execute its mandate there was a need to invest in technology that will assist in automating processes and increase efficiencies within the ports of entry.
“It is eminent that the main deterrent in the investment on ICT infrastructure or technologies for BMA is current funding constraints.
“There is, therefore, a critical need for the BMA to invest in ICT infrastructure to enable efficient delivery on its mandate.”
Schreiber highlighted that R2.9 billion in funding for the fiscal year 2023-24 was declined by the National Treasury.
The BMA applied for R500m from the Criminal Assets Recovery Account from the Department of Constitutional Development to assist in the procurement of some critical tools of trade, but only R150 million was approved.
Schreiber said the requested funds were to be used for the procurement of specialised capital equipment.
“These tools of trade include but are not limited to patrol vehicles, firearms and ammunition, communication devices, body-worn cameras, surveillance equipment, forensic technology, motion sensors, drive-through vehicle or truck scanner,” he said.
Roos said the budget shortfall was anticipated in light of prior warnings from the National Treasury about the entity's affordability when the BMA was tabled.
He pointed out the inability of the BMA to effectively counter cybercrime and human trafficking due to the funding deficit.
“We have called for the Treasury to come and have a discussion with the portfolio committee about the funding.
“During the bill's development, we flagged the BMA's unaffordability and the lack of funding.
“It is crucial now for the committee to address these concerns with the Treasury.”
Cape Times