by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – THE Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed Parliament’s passing of the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) Bill, describing it as a landmark step toward improving border efficiency, reducing corruption, and stimulating economic growth through streamlined trade.
The new legislation gives legal effect to international agreements that will enable South Africa to establish shared border control zones with neighbouring countries. These “one-stop” posts allow travellers and goods to be cleared by both nations’ authorities at a single location, significantly cutting processing times and costs.
According to the DA, the model—already proven successful in East Africa—has the potential to transform South Africa’s trade competitiveness. The East African Community, for example, recorded a 50% surge in intra-regional trade after implementing one-stop border systems and the Single Customs Territory.
“For South African exporters, this means perishable goods like fruit can clear both South African and Mozambican customs within hours instead of days,” the party said in a statement. “This efficiency reduces refrigeration costs, preserves quality, and strengthens the global competitiveness of our farmers.”
The DA credited Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber for his leadership in advancing border reforms, noting improvements in biometric verification, digitised systems, and the rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for G20 countries such as China, India, and Mexico. The ETA has already sped up traveller processing times at major ports of entry.
However, the party emphasised that the Border Management Authority (BMA) must receive adequate funding and that the transfer of SAPS Border Police be completed urgently to ensure effective implementation.
“The OSBP Bill is not just about border security—it’s about building a modern, efficient border governance system that drives trade, supports small businesses, and creates jobs,” the DA said. “It represents a shift from outdated, fragmented control toward accountability, coordination, and service excellence.”
– CAJ News