South African border security management : a case of international migration

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of South African border security management in terms of the effects of international migration in the country. Triangulation descriptive research was used in this study to determine the efficacy of South African border management. Structured questionnaires and an unstructured interview guide were used to collect data. In both provinces, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, four (4) focus group discussions were held. There were two blinded focus group discussions with community members and two with illegal immigrants. Officials from border security agencies were among those who have participated in this study. A total of (n110) immigrants were surveyed in both provinces, with 110 responding to qualitative interviews, for a total of 215 participants in this study. SPSS, ATLAS.ti, and themes were used to analyse raw data. The study looked into a variety of factors, including push and pull factors, corruption, and border management. The study's findings reveal a variety of factors that contribute to illegal human mobility. Thousands of immigrants cross the borders illegally into South Africa from various African countries. Some of them, however, are refugees, while others are economic migrants. According to the Refugee Act, all asylum seekers must apply for asylum within five days of their arrival in order to avoid being repatriated and found to be in the country illegally. As a result, the immigrants fail to visit the refugee reception office to register and apply for asylum, and they remain in the country illegally. Some of them simply come to South Africa to look for opportunities. Corruption and bribery are contributing factors to South Africa's lack of effective border management; officials take bribes from immigrants, compromising South African security because some of those who cross the border to this country are criminals; some are the most wanted criminals in their home country.