Drones curb illegal border crossings in South Africa

The South African government’s deployment of drones at five high-priority border crossings, including the critical Beitbridge border with Zimbabwe, has yielded significant results. According to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, the use of drones has already prevented over 2,000 illegal border crossings.

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In a statement released on Friday, Minister Schreiber highlighted a 215% increase in the prevention of illegal crossings during the festive season compared to the previous year. He attributed this success to the deployment of new technologies, including drones and body cameras.

“The immediate and visible impact of drone deployment at just five pilot ports of entry is undeniable,” Schreiber stated. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development provided crucial support by assisting with drone deployments at Beitbridge, Maseru Bridge, Lebombo, Kopfontein, and Oshoek.

Forty-two pilots were assigned to operate drones at these locations, enabling real-time monitoring of border activity and rapid responses to attempted illegal crossings and smuggling activities. This collaborative effort involved the Border Management Authority, the defence force, the police, and the South African Revenue Service, ensuring swift deployment of ground teams.

“The use of drones at these five pilot ports led to the detection of 2,188 individuals attempting to enter South Africa illegally,” Schreiber emphasized. “These 2,188 individuals would have remained undetected without the assistance of this technology.”

Furthermore, drone surveillance identified and facilitated the sealing of 2,326 breaches in the border fence. “This clearly demonstrates the transformative power of technology in enhancing border security,” Schreiber stated. “We must now strive to integrate drones as a permanent tool within the Border Management Authority’s arsenal.”