JOHANNESBURG - The Border Management Authority (BMA) is beefing up security and increasing accountability through the introduction of more technology to their operations.
All BMA officers will wear body cameras in during their operations. This is one of the measures taken to reduce corruption at border crossings.
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BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi says technology is a force multiplier, adding to the resources that are on the ground.
"Our officials are required to wear body-worn cameras to monitor the interactions they have with travelers at the ports of entry," she says.
"We also have drones that are serving as the monitoring surveillance," she adds. The Authority will soon be launching a vehicle tracking system to protect against the attempts to smuggle vehicles out of the country illegally.
"You cannot bribe a camera, you cannot bribe a drone to not record," said Mogotsi. The Authority has fired over 50 officials, many of whom have been arrested for corruption.
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According to Mogotsi, they are trying to prevent more dismissals. Officials will be vetted and ordered to declare their assets.