BMA manages festive surge despite operating at just 24% capacity

By Thapelo Molefe

Despite operating at only 24% of its required staffing capacity, the Border Management Authority (BMA) says it is managing increased festive-season travel volumes through extensive collaboration with other government departments and neighbouring countries.

Briefing the media on Saturday, BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato said the authority is under significant pressure during the annual peak travel period, which began last week Wednesday and runs through to mid-January, but has put contingency measures in place to ensure ports of entry continue functioning.

“This is one of our busiest periods. Everyone is on duty, there are no rest days,” Masiapato said, adding that the authority is currently facing a staff shortage of more than 70%. 

“That is the unfortunate reality, but we still have the responsibility to implement our mandate.”

To plug the gap, the BMA has deployed officials from other spheres of government across the country’s major ports of entry.