BMA to deploy drone tech to crack down on illegal border movement over Easter

JOHANNESBURG - In a bid to crack down on illegal movements across the country’s five land borders, the Border Management Authority (BMA) will deploy drone technology to monitor illegal activity. 

In a joint briefing with the BMA in Pretoria on Thursday morning, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber revealed four high-tech drones that will be deployed ahead of the busy Easter weekend. 

In 2024, the BMA processed over one million people at the country’s borders during the Easter festive period, with this number expected to increase. 

Schreiber unveiled the tech during the joint briefing.

He said it was a first for the country in terms of border security. 

Outlining some of the drones’ capabilities, he said: “These drones launch within 15 seconds. They have thermal vision detection, so you cannot hide behind a tree, it will pick up your body heat and it will see you moving immediately, trying to illegally enter this country. It has long range zoom that can see up to 1.24 miles into the distance and, of course, it has a very advanced camera.”

Schreiber said the drones have a speed of up to 43km/h and can detect certain objects using Artificial Intelligence. 

He added that the drones were part of a pilot project in December that saw a 215% increase in the prevention of illegal crossings.

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