Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber pushes digitalisation to combat border corruption

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has highlighted digitalization as the key solution to corruption at South Africa’s borders. He made these remarks during the launch of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum on Tuesday, alongside the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

The newly established anti-corruption forum aims to centralise crime prevention efforts by bringing together law enforcement bodies, civil society groups, and traditional leaders to tackle corruption and criminal activities at the country’s borders.

Crackdown on Corrupt Home Affairs Officials

Schreiber revealed that between July 2024 and February 2025, 27 Home Affairs officials had been dismissed for offenses including fraud, corruption, and sexual misconduct. In addition to these dismissals, some officials have faced criminal prosecution.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber

“Thanks to the work of our partners in law enforcement, eight officials have already been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from four to 18 years, while criminal prosecution of another 19 officials is underway,” Schreiber said.

The widespread corruption at South Africa’s borders has long been a serious concern, affecting national security, immigration control, and economic stability. The forum aims to curb bribery and fraudulent activities that allow illegal immigration, smuggling, and other crimes to thrive.

Digitalization as a Solution

Schreiber emphasized that the government is moving towards the digitalization of Home Affairs services, including the phasing out of green identity documents and the automation of all ports of entry.

The automation of border control systems is expected to reduce human intervention, making it harder for corrupt officials to manipulate entry and exit processes.

“Because you cannot bribe a computer, when the computer says no, it does not ask for something to change the answer,” Schreiber said.

This move is part of wider reforms aimed at modernizing border management and immigration processes, making them more efficient, transparent, and corruption-free.

How Automation Will Improve Border Security

The digitalization initiative includes:

• Replacing outdated green ID books with smart identity cards to improve security and authentication.

• Automating border control systems to limit human intervention and prevent fraudulent activities.

• Integrating biometric verification to ensure that individuals entering or leaving the country are properly identified.

• Enhancing data-sharing among government agencies to track and prevent illegal activities more effectively.

By reducing the need for manual checks, the automated system will help eliminate opportunities for bribery and fraud, ensuring that border security is maintained without interference from corrupt officials.

Challenges in Implementation

While digitalisation offers many benefits, its implementation comes with challenges, including:

• Infrastructure limitations – Some border posts lack the technology and resources required for full automation.

• Cybersecurity threats – Digital systems must be protected from hacking and cyber-attacks.

• Training and adaptation – Home Affairs officials need training to effectively use new automated systems.

Despite these challenges, Schreiber remains optimistic that the reforms will mark a major breakthrough in improving border management and eliminating corruption.

The Future of South Africa’s Border Management

With the implementation of digital border control, South Africa aims to:

• Enhance national security by preventing illegal activities at ports of entry.

• Speed up processing times for travelers and cargo, improving efficiency.

• Eliminate corrupt practices by reducing human involvement in decision-making.

The Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum will play a crucial role in overseeing these changes, ensuring that the reforms are effectively enforced.

As the Home Affairs Department moves forward with digital transformation, South Africa’s borders are expected to become more secure, transparent, and resistant to corruption.