South Africa Tightens Border Security Measures
Written by Skyz Metro FM on June 2, 2026
SFM NEWS
South Africa is set to introduce facial recognition technology at its ports of entry as part of efforts to strengthen border security and combat illegal migration, passport fraud and corruption.
Border Management Authority Commissioner Mike Masiapato says Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber is expected to launch the new Electronic Movement Control System, known as EMCS 2.0, later this year.
“The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Schreiber, will, as we go forward in the year, ultimately launch the EMCS 2.0,” he said.
“That is going to be the new system deployed at ports, which is going to use cameras for the basis of what we call facial recognition, to enable people to come through the country through electronic means and no longer just depending on passports.
“That is going to assist us in dealing with issues relating to passport utilisation, passport abuse, and the rest of the other issues regarding illegal migration in that particular instance.”“The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Schreiber, will, as we go forward in the year, ultimately launch the EMCS 2.0,” he said.
“That is going to be the new system deployed at ports, which is going to use cameras for the basis of what we call facial recognition, to enable people to come through the country through electronic means and no longer just depending on passports.
“That is going to assist us in dealing with issues relating to passport utilisation, passport abuse, and the rest of the other issues regarding illegal migration in that particular instance.”
The system will use facial recognition cameras and electronic verification processes to identify travellers and reduce reliance on passports alone.
Masiapato says the technology is expected to help authorities detect undocumented travellers and curb passport abuse.
He added that the Border Management Authority is already using drones to monitor border areas and plans to increase the use of body-worn cameras to deter corruption and improve accountability among border officials.
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Skyz Metro FM