Pretoria: Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Dr. Michael Masiapato reports that South Africa is witnessing one of its busiest travel seasons in recent years, with a significant rise in traveller movements and successful enforcement operations leading to numerous interceptions.
According to South African Government News Agency, Dr. Masiapato briefed the media about the festive season law enforcement strategies for 2025/26, revealing that BMA immigration officers processed 9,283,658 travellers in the second quarter of the current financial year. This marks a 23% increase from the 7,576,650 movements recorded during the same period last year. The surge in movements aligns with the enhanced border enforcement measures, bolstered by surveillance technology, including drones. During this period, 8,135 apprehensions were made at various ports of entry and vulnerable segments, including 4,092 undocumented individuals, 2,061 inadmissible travellers, and 1,982 undesirables.
Masiapato highlighted that the majority of intercepted foreign nationals were Basotho, followed by Mozambicans, Zimbabweans, and Swati nationals, indicating a longstanding migration pattern within the sub-region. Since the initial deployment of the Border Guards in July 2022, officers have successfully prevented approximately 505,065 individuals from illegally entering the country.
The quarter also saw the interception of 15 high-powered suspected stolen vehicles, allegedly targeted by criminal syndicates for smuggling out of South Africa. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has taken over their further processing. Since July 2022, a total of 349 vehicles have been intercepted. BMA officers also confiscated 1,700 kg of counterfeit clothing and footwear valued at R1.28 million, bringing the total value of counterfeit goods intercepted since July 2022 to approximately R220 million.
Additional seizures comprised half a kilogram of crystal meth, 240 grams of heroin, illicit cigarettes valued at R827,500, and 40 fraudulent travel documents, primarily confiscated at OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, and Vioolsdrift. Port health operations screened 172,858 travellers, with 73 denied entry for failing to present valid yellow fever vaccination certificates. Officials processed 997 mortal remains, including 964 exports and 33 imports, with 25 returned due to incomplete documentation.
Dr. Masiapato also noted that port health teams managed 43,729 health-related consignments and intercepted 5,000 units of illicit birth control pills and 117 medical test kits, including skin-lightening creams. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) warned that many of these products contain harmful and illegal ingredients, including high concentrations of mercury, hydroquinone, and tropical steroids, posing significant health risks.
Health teams tested 969 travellers for malaria, confirming 57 positive cases, who were subsequently transferred to medical facilities. In the agricultural stream, 39,316 consignments were processed.
In a crucial operational development, Dr. Masiapato announced that the BMA, in collaboration with Transnet National Ports Authority, has secured permanent operational space for Coastal Guards at the ports of Mossel Bay, Gqeberha, Richards Bay, and East London. This initiative is pivotal in establishing BMA’s full-time presence in these essential seaports.