South Africa Enhances Border Security with Advanced Drone and Surveillance Technology
In a decisive step to combat illegal migration, smuggling, and human trafficking, South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) has deployed cutting-edge technology along its borders with six neighboring countries. The initiative includes the use of four drones equipped with advanced thermal detection capabilities and the addition of 40 body cameras to its enforcement toolkit.
Significant Increase in Interceptions
Between April 15 and April 24, 2025, the BMA apprehended 6,253 undocumented migrants attempting to cross South Africa’s borders. This represents a substantial 61% increase compared to the 3,841 individuals intercepted during the same period last year. According to BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato, more than one million movements were recorded across 71 ports of entry during this timeframe.
The apprehended migrants comprised primarily Zimbabweans (2,019), Basotho nationals (1,921), and Mozambicans (1,143), with the remainder including Swatis and other nationalities. These figures highlight the ongoing challenges faced at the country’s extensive border network.
Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber underscored the government’s firm stance against illegal border crossings. In a statement, he warned would-be illegal immigrants and smugglers that the enhanced surveillance capabilities mean “there are fewer and fewer places to hide for criminals who undermine our national security.” He emphasized that the borders are now monitored continuously—day and night—with the ability to detect body heat wherever individuals attempt to conceal themselves.
Advanced Drone Technology and AI Integration
The drones deployed by the BMA are outfitted with night vision and thermal detection technologies powered by artificial intelligence. This integration allows them to detect, recognize, and lock onto heat signatures from people and vehicles, even under extreme weather conditions or in remote areas without GPS coverage. Capable of speeds up to 43 kilometers per hour, these drones enhance surveillance capabilities significantly.
Currently, eight BMA officers have been trained as expert drone pilots, operating the devices on rotating shifts across various border entry points. Their deployment has proven effective; drones have contributed to the arrest of 112 individuals involved in facilitating illegal migration, including a South African citizen apprehended at the Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe. Facilitators reportedly charge between $16 and $20 per undocumented person to assist in unlawful crossings.
Addressing the facilitators, Commissioner Masiapato noted the authority’s focus on apprehending those organizing the illegal entries rather than just the individuals attempting to cross. “We need to get the people who are pulling the ropes,” he stated, referencing earlier successful operations at the Lebombo border post in Komatipoort.
Towards a ‘Wall of Sensors’ for Enhanced Security
Despite the effectiveness of drone technology, budget constraints currently limit their more frequent deployment. To address this and bolster border security comprehensively, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has submitted funding requests to the National Treasury to expand surveillance capabilities.
Defense and national security analyst Ricardo Texeira advocates for a “wall of sensors” approach—a virtual or digital barrier relying on integrated advanced surveillance systems instead of physical fortifications. He highlights the Meerkat Wide Area Surveillance System (WASS), developed by South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, as a promising solution. Originally designed to combat rhino poaching in Kruger National Park, Meerkat combines ground surveillance radar and electro-optical sensors to monitor wide areas in real-time, enabling rapid and targeted responses.
Texeira suggests integrating WASS with other locally produced technologies such as the Ground-based Surveillance and Classification Radar, RSR 903 Ground Surveillance Radar, and the PIMS X300 Mobile Sensor Station. This integration aims to create a resilient, intelligence-led border security network that leverages domestic innovation for broader national security applications.
A Step Forward in Securing South Africa’s Borders
South Africa’s deployment of drones and other surveillance technologies marks a significant advancement in securing its borders against illegal activities that undermine regional stability and governance. The government’s proactive strategy, combining technology with targeted enforcement, sends a clear message to those attempting to circumvent the law.
As these initiatives continue and receive further investment, South Africa aims to establish a model of technologically empowered border management that can adapt to evolving security challenges while safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and security.
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Africa Defense Forum | July 22, 2025
