Cabinet has approved the Borderline Infrastructure Improvement Plan for 2026 to 2030, targeting all seven border provinces, as government intensifies efforts to secure South Africa’s 4,471 km land borderline shared with six neighbouring countries. Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi announced the plan at a media briefing on 8 September 2026, confirmed through reporting by SAnews.gov.za.
Between 14 June and 20 August 2026, approximately 86,596 foreign nationals were processed for deportation and repatriation through coordinated law enforcement operations. Inter-Ministerial Committee data shows 90% of repatriated individuals had entered the country illegally, with 95% classified as border jumpers. Malawians constituted the largest group, followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans.
Kubayi told the briefing that years of neglect have left border infrastructure in crisis. “Over time, border security infrastructure has deteriorated significantly, with large sections of fencing damaged, vandalised, or absent and critical access roads in poor condition,” she said. She added that the deterioration has “limited patrol mobility, delayed response time, increased strain on personnel and equipment, and created vulnerability exploited by illegal crossing, smuggling and transnational crime.”
Most interceptions of undocumented foreign nationals occurred along the northern corridor bordering Zimbabwe, followed by areas bordering Lesotho and Mozambique. Between April and July 2026, more than 4,200 people were intercepted attempting to enter outside formal ports of entry. The Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre in Musina, built with capacity for 20,000 people and once processing more than 4,000 repatriations at its peak, was decommissioned on 21 August 2026 after demand dropped to 58.
The Border Management Authority is operating five drones at critical border points in Lebombo, Maseru, Oshoek, Beitbridge, and KwaZulu-Natal, with nine additional drones being procured. Some 40 body-worn cameras are being deployed at ports of entry to improve operational visibility and combat internal corruption. Scanners are operational at all major land ports, airports, and seaports. President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the Enhanced Movement Control System at OR Tambo International Airport on 12 August 2026, and the Customs Online Traveller Declaration system has been running since 1 July 2026.
National Treasury is finalising the funding model for the infrastructure plan, meaning no cost figures have been confirmed. The government is implementing a Five-Point Plan on Migration Management alongside the infrastructure rollout, and 81 joint border law enforcement operations were conducted in July 2026 alone. South Africa previously pursued re-militarisation of its borders as part of earlier border security strategy, though the current plan emphasises technology and coordinated enforcement over military deployment.
Cape Flats News could not independently verify all claims beyond the SAnews.gov.za report; full content from additional government sources was not accessible for cross-referencing. A slight discrepancy exists between figures cited as “almost 90,000” and the precise 86,596 total, which may reflect different counting methods. We will check with the Department of Justice for the finalised funding figures and any updates on drone procurement timelines by the end of September 2026.