Exploring cross-border security issues at selected Southern African Development Community (SADC) borders and borderlands: Beitbridge and Kosi Bay

Abstract

Cross-border migration within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is regarded as a cross-border security issue that has often ignited anti-immigration sentiments in countries like South Africa. In particular, there is increasing debate in South Africa over the porosity of its borders with Zimbabwe and Mozambique and how this has led, not only to cross-border security issues, but also threatens the socio-economic and political stability of South Africa. There is a perception that the porous borders provide a breeding ground for a plethora of criminal and illegal activities such as human smuggling and trafficking, cross-border transportation of contraband and violence which undermine South Africa`s sovereignty and territorial integrity. These are legitimate concerns which have motivated border securitisation through the establishment of the Border Management Authority (BMA).