Briefing by the DPWI and BMA on the one-stop border post project; 2025/26 Budget Vote Report; with Minister & Deputy Minister

Video The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure met with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the Department of Home Affairs, and the Border Management Authority (BMA) to receive a briefing on the One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) project. The BMA also briefly introduced the BMA Act and the OSBP Bill. The BMA's presentation focused on the redevelopment and redesign of the top six land commercial Ports of Entry, which are: Beitbridge, Lebombo, Oshoek, Kopfontein, Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg. The presentation also focused on the mandate of the BMA as a single authority that is responsible for border management in the country, as well as the implementation of the OSBP concept. The BMA introduced the concept of the Triple P (Public Private Partnership) process as an approach to the OSBP project. The Commissioner indicated all of the project stakeholders. The Commissioner shared three international best practice OBSP models with the Committee – the juxtaposed OSBP, the straddling OSBP and the single country OSBP – two of which will be used by South Africa. The BMA urged Members to support the project and the implementation of the OSBP. Members were concerned about the lack of information regarding the BMA Act and the OSBP Bill, and the Commissioner assured Members that they will be given access to the two to familiarise themselves with it. Members also expressed general concern around the BMA and its establishment as well as the transfer of land ports from the DPWI to the BMA. Members were also concerned about the inadequate infrastructure and the maintenance costs for this. The Commissioner informed the Committee that in addition to the private sector funding, the BMA has also received R150 million from the criminal asset recovery account, which was used to procure critical tools of trade. The BMA was also starting to invest in other technologies such as drones and body cams. The Committee was concerned about the fact that the OSBP Bill was not yet fully enacted and that it would be reckless to start the process without it. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure highlighted some high-level issues that needed to be ironed out. The DPWI also provided a portfolio overview of the ports and the transfer of the ports. The presentation was cut short by the co-chair as the Committee also had to consider the budget report. The content advisor presented the budget report. Some Members reserved their rights to give a final decision while others supported the report. Members had two main concerns – the problem of collection from client departments and the implementation of the Expropriation Act. The Secretary pointed out that the issues surrounding client departments were already captured in the recommendations. The Secretary informed Members that the Expropriation Act was currently being contested in court. Members proposed that the matter of the Expropriation Act was raised as an outstanding matter and requested that the Committee make time to determine its strategic priorities. Both of those requests were noted.