- BMA Commissioner Dr Mike Masiapato demonstrated the Vehicle Targeting System at the Lebombo Port of Entry on 18 October 2026
- The system uses background database checks to alert border guards via handheld devices when high-risk vehicles approach
- BMA plans to roll out the digital system to eight major border posts by February 2027
Source: Facebook
MPUMALANGA — The Border Management Authority (BMA) deployed an automated Vehicle Targeting System (VTS) to stop vehicle theft and disrupt cross-border crime networks. BMA Commissioner Dr Mike Masiapato demonstrated the technology at the Lebombo Port of Entry in Komatipoort on 18 October 2026.
According to eNCA, Masiapato spoke at the Lebombo border post on 18 October 2026, where the BMA showcased its automated intercept model. Masiapato defended the rollout and said the system shifts border security from random manual inspections to targeted, data-driven checks before vehicles reach officers.
BMA introduces vehicle targeting system
Masiapato said the system is operational at six key land ports of entry and has recovered 83 vehicles valued at R46.6 million over six months. The total includes stolen vehicles, eight cloned cars, 37 cases of fraudulent documents, and 33 financed vehicles. Officers stopped another 1,817 vehicles lacking required financing paperwork.
The BMA commissioner said background database checks alert border guards via handheld devices when high-risk vehicles approach. Masiapato said the BMA, which recently came under fire after undocumented passengers were found on a bus in Limpopo, plans to expand the digital system to eight major border posts by February 2027, improving both traffic flow and cross-border security.
View the BMA's Facebook post about the briefing here:
BMA intercepts over 4,000 foreign nationals
In a related article, Briefly News reported on the Border Management Authority’s efforts to stop undocumented foreign nationals from re-entering South Africa and to target those who facilitate illegal entry.
Despite about 90,000 undocumented foreign nationals leaving the country ahead of a June deadline, the BMA intercepted more than 4,000 people attempting to return illegally between April and July.
Source: Briefly News
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