The safety and security of South Africa’s (SA) borders came into sharp focus this year, as the country prepared to host the first ever G20 Leaders’ Summit in Africa.

The Border Management Authority has said that it is ready for the challenges associated with hosting the global gathering.

But residents living along SA’s border with Lesotho, continue to face difficulties around safety and security.An emphatic plea from a high-ranking SA National Defence Force officer earlier this year, for politicians to address the issue of SA’s borders.

Porous borders are a real threat to safety, especially for residents of border towns.

Cross-border crimes, particularly stock theft along the border between SA and Lesotho, have risen sharply in recent years.

There are eight official ports of entry between the two countries,

But farmers’ advocacy group Free State Province, Agriculture says it has identified 64 illegal entry points that Lesotho nationals use to enter the country.

–SABC–