The security dimensions of borderline control : a South African case study

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to analyse the nature and extent of land borderline control as well as threats to land borders in South Africa. The study also aims to evaluate the efficiency of land borderline control and the security implications of the approach to borderline control in the post-1994 period. The argument is based on the following assumptions: <ul> <li> Distinct changes in the South African approach to borderline control in the pre- and post-1994 era can be observed, mainly concerning changing political priorities.</li> <li> In the post-1994 period, borderline control was neglected, which allowed the continued influx of illegal foreigners and increased cross-border crime.</li> <li> Ineffective borderline control results in security issues that pose challenges to state security as well as to human security, and hence, to national security</li>. </ul> The study found that borderline control played a crucial role in the pre-1994 period given South Africa’s predominantly external threat perception and other security threats at the time. Changes in political priorities after 1994 resulted in the reduction of security forces deployed for the purpose of borderline control. Changing the borderline control responsibility from the SANDF to the SAPS, and then back again to the SANDF, as well as regular changes in the institutions responsible for border control coordination, further contributed to a general neglect of land borderline control. Ineffective borderline control, in conjunction with other regional push and pull factors, resulted in increasing levels of illegal immigration to South Africa after 1994. The absence of adequate borderline control also led to in an increase in cross-border crime, including vehicle theft and the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and counterfeit goods, as well as the smuggling of people and stock theft. Although these factors have impacted negatively on security in South Africa, it was found that national security as yet remained largely unaffected given the limited impact of these security threats on the physical integrity, territory or governance of the country.