Border Management Authority (BMA) confirmed an investigation is underway after a bus cleared at the Beitbridge Border Post with 43 documented passengers was later intercepted in Bloemfontein carrying 32 undocumented passengers.
Image: File
Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato has confirmed that an investigation is under way to determine how a bus cleared at the Beitbridge Border Post with 43 documented passengers was later intercepted in Bloemfontein carrying 32 undocumented passengers.
The bus had originally been processed at Beitbridge with all 43 passengers properly documented.
Masiapato was briefing the media at the Beitbridge Border Post on Monday while monitoring operations on the ground.
“I think we need to make it very clear. Number one, we had conversations with all the cross-border operators, buses in particular. We engaged with the CEOs, we engaged with the owners, and we basically said to them, 'no one must ferry people without documentation.' And I think you will be aware that we have done that work very extensively during the past year until this point,” he said.
He added that since those conversations, they had not encountered any incidents like the bus intercepted in Bloemfontein.
“So we can say that we appreciate most of the bus operators who comply with our request to make sure that they ferry people with documentation.”
“We can confirm, as we issued a statement, that the bus came through here. It was on the 2nd, between 4am - 5am in the morning, and the bus was processed.”
He said that as part of the protocol, when the bus arrived at the north gate, all passengers were screened in terms of health, and the bus entered the port, following all procedures.
“Part of the process that we do is to make sure that nobody in the bus does not have documents. Ultimately, the bus driver came through with the passenger manifest, and they went through to the immigration desk.”
Masiapato said everyone was processed.
“The total number of the passengers processed in that bus was 43, and that particular bus complied.”
“One, the driver had all the documents, the bus actually operated by repeat tours and all the documentation in terms of the cross-border payment, and of course all the passengers had documentation as required, and they were processed in the country,” he told the media.
“Now, to be able to confirm that indeed what we did is what we're supposed to do, all buses, as you know, when they leave the port, they go into a weighbridge, where all the buses are going to be weighed to check if they're overweight or they're overloaded or anything.”
He confirmed the bus went into the weighbridge.
“We do have a record of that particular process, including the footage, even when it was actually weighed, and that bus complied.”
“There were no additional people. Everybody was in. That bus moved into the country. Now, ultimately, they said the bus was intercepted as indicated in Bloemfontein, and on that basis they said there were 32 additional people in that bus, and those people did not have documents.”
He said they were not able to confirm where the bus driver picked up those people, and ultimately they ended up in Bloemfontein.
Masiapato confirmed the matter is under full investigation.
“Number one, the driver will have to indicate where did he pick up those people, and the driver, by the way, has to be charged for aiding and abetting, according to Section 59 of the Immigration Act, and ultimately the bus will then have to be charged for ferrying illegal migrants inside the country.”
“So that is the status, but we can confirm from the PMA side that when the bus came here, everybody actually complied.”
The incident comes after the bus intercepted in the Free State Province was processed through the Beitbridge Port of Entry on Thursday, April 2, in accordance with all prescribed procedures.
The BMA said that on arrival at the port in the early hours of the morning, the bus entered through the North Gate where standard port operations were executed.
All 43 passengers were required to alight from the bus with their luggage to undergo mandatory screening processes.
“Passengers were subjected to BMA Port Health screening to identify any health-related risks, while their luggage was scanned for any smuggling of illicit goods and items such as bulk medication or contraband in line with established security protocols,” the BMA previously said.
Concurrently, the bus itself was searched to detect any undocumented individuals.
“The driver presented a passenger manifest, which included the names and passport numbers of all individuals on board.”
Each passenger proceeded to immigration counters where they presented their passports to BMA immigration officials.
Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato confirmed an investigation is underway after a bus cleared at the Beitbridge Border Post with 43 documented passengers was later intercepted in Bloemfontein carrying 32 undocumented passengers.
Image: File
“All documents were verified and found to be legitimate, and the passengers were duly processed and granted entry into South Africa in line with applicable immigration prescripts,” it said.
The BMA confirmed that it is in possession of the full list of passengers who were processed at the port of entry, all of whom complied with entry requirements, having valid passports and visas, and sufficient days remaining out of the 90 allowed to enter South Africa.
“The driver of the bus was also found to be in possession of a valid passport and a legitimate cross-border permit, and the vehicle was processed in accordance with regulatory requirements.”
The bus is operated by registered cross-border transport operator Rimbi Tours, which regularly uses the Beitbridge Port of Entry.
The BMA emphasised that security measures at the Beitbridge Port of Entry remain exceptionally stringent.
“The port is currently operating under heightened surveillance, including the deployment of drone technology, as well as the presence of multiple Commissioners overseeing operations during this high-volume period.”
The authority said these measures are specifically designed to prevent illegal crossings and detect any irregular movements.
The BMA said it cannot account for any additional passengers who may have boarded the bus inland after departure from the port.
Meanwhile, Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs Chairperson Mosa Chabane welcomed the interception of the bus by the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport.
Chabane said the interception highlights the need for stricter enforcement and accountability in the cross-border transport sector.
“We commend the provincial department for its vigilance and decisive action. This interception exposes serious violations that undermine the integrity of our immigration system and border controls,” he said.
He called on the BMA to suspend Rimbi Tours pending investigation into how the 32 undocumented passengers boarded the bus.
Chabane also called for a coordinated and integrated approach among law enforcement agencies, including immigration officers, the South African Police Service, and metro police departments, to address the presence of undocumented foreign nationals.
“An integrated law enforcement approach is critical to ensure that undocumented individuals within our borders are identified and processed in line with the law. This requires ongoing collaboration and information-sharing between all relevant authorities,” he said.
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