30 September 2021

Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi welcomes the appointment of the first ever Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA) by President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

The President, with the support of Cabinet, appointed Dr Nakampe Masiapato as the Commissioner and (former) Major General David Chilembe as the Deputy Commissioner of Operations at the BMA. 

“It is an uncontested fact that we have problems along the borders. The establishment of the BMA is meant to solve that problem. Now that the legislation to establish the BMA has been passed, it is important to appoint the individuals who will implement it,” said Minister Motsoaledi. 

Dr Masiapato is a seasoned official in the law enforcement environment particularly at the strategic level. To this end, Dr Masiapato can add significant value towards the establishment of the BMA. Given his experience, he should be able to provide critical leadership towards the realisation of BMA’s national objectives. He has served on several border related forums such as the Border Control Operational Co-ordinating Committee (BCOCC), and Inter-Agency Clearing Forum.

In addition, Dr Masiapato has extensive experience within the intelligence environment having served as the acting National Coordinator for Intelligence. He has served over 19 years within the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) of which the twelve (12) years he was at senior management level. His employment history cuts through the police service, defence intelligence and the civilian intelligence environments.

Dr Masiapato is currently employed as the Executive Manager for Monitoring and Analysis at the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC). He has recently contributed towards the establishment of the Fusion Centre at the Financial Intelligence Centre, which brings about twelve law enforcement agencies for investigating COVID-19 related corruption. 

Academically, Dr Michael Masiapato holds two PhDs, one in Public Management and the other in Governance including a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.  He has also completed the National Security Programme with the National Defence College.

Major-General Chilembe has extensive experience within the South African Police Service, spanning from 1984 until 30 June 2021. He possesses approximately seventeen 17 years’ experience within the senior management echelon of the police service ranging from 2004, specifically in the border policing and law enforcement environment; which encompasses the management, and command and control of border law enforcement at ports of entry.

“The Department has confidence in the two appointed individuals. Dr Masiapato is going to implement something that he believes in and has the requisite qualifications and experience.

“Maj Gen Chilembe has 17 years’ experience in border law enforcement in SAPS and is now under an Authority whose sole focus is on the borders. We believe that both will do well in their new responsibilities,” said Minister Motsoaledi.

Media enquiries:

Siya Qoza, ‪082 898 1657 (spokesperson for the Minister of Home Affairs)
David Hlabane, ‪071 342 4284 (media manager for the Department of Home Affairs)

ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS