The BMA intercepted 4 763 illegal travellers during the 2026 Easter period, recording a 24% drop in crossings, while arresting 138 facilitators and crediting enhanced surveillance, including drones, for improved border enforcement outcomes.
Image: Picture: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers
The Border Management Authority (BMA) says a total of 4 763 travellers were intercepted over the 10-day 2026 Easter period while attempting to enter or exit South Africa illegally.
Speaking during a briefing on Sunday, BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato said out of the 4 763 intercepted travellers, 3 170 were undocumented persons.
He said a further 998 were classified as 'undesirables', while 595 were found to be inadmissible for various reasons, including possession of fraudulent visas, failure to produce a yellow fever certificate, or possession of invalid travel documents.
He said all travellers intercepted without documents were fingerprinted, declared undesirable for five years, and deported to their respective countries in line with the Immigration Act.
''As in the previous periods, the majority of e intercepted individuals were Basotho nationals, followed by Mozambicans, Zimbabweans, Swati nationals, Malawians and Ethiopians,'' he said.
He said the total interceptions represent a decrease compared to 6,253 recorded during the 2025 Easter period, reflecting a 24% reduction.
Masiapato attributed the decline to enhanced enforcement measures, including the deployment of drones, the continued arrest of facilitators, the destruction of makeshift boats, and the removal of anchors and ropes used to facilitate illegal crossings along the Limpopo and Caledon rivers.
''A total of 29 minors were also intercepted, with 17 at Lebombo and 12 at Beit Bridge. The minors were handed over to the Department of Social Development for placement in safe care, where processes to reunite them with their families were initiated.''
Masiapato said a total of 138 facilitators were arrested during the period, representing a 22% increase compared to 113 arrests recorded during the 2025 Easter period.
He said these facilitators were not deported but were handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and charged with aiding and abetting in accordance with section 49(2) of the Immigration Act.
Masiapato said the increase in arrests was attributed to the full-time deployment of drones and other technologies, including body-worn cameras.
He said Push-To-Talk (PTT) communication technology improved operational efficiency by enabling real-time tracking, tracing and interception of illegal movements.
''In addition, about 42 joint law enforcement operations, including roadblocks were conducted in collaboration with other law enforcement authorities within the border law enforcement areas.
He said more than 159 hotspot areas were patrolled using high-tech vehicles, while 3,019 foot patrols were conducted to enhance visibility and operational coverage.
Border Guards intercepted four motor vehicles that were allegedly being smuggled out of the country, which were handed over to SAPS Detective Services for further investigation.
At Jeppes Reef and OR Tambo International Airport ports of entry, approximately 557 kg of cannabis and 48 kg of narcotics were intercepted.
Masiapato said port health specialists remained on high alert across all ports of entry, implementing heightened screening measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
He said a total of 72,717 travellers were screened, while 259 flights were disinfected to prevent cross-border transmission of infectious vectors.
Furthermore, 53 mortal remains were processed by BMA port health teams, with Beit Bridge accounting for the majority at approximately 40 cases involving repatriations to other parts of the continent.
Masiapato said biosecurity teams, including K9 units, inspectors, animal health technicians and veterinarians, enforced compliance at ports of entry and border law enforcement areas.
He said more than 20,000 kg of non-compliant agricultural products valued at approximately R4,759, 502 were confiscated and destroyed.
These included animal products, plant products and prohibited food items such as mangoes, bananas and other fruits.
''The most intercepted consignments during this Easter period were recorded at Cape Town Harbour which are still under detention for further processing. The consignments compromised of foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages such as whisky.''
Masiapato said the BMA maintains a zero-tolerance stance on corruption and continues to work with law enforcement agencies, oversight bodies and border management stakeholders to strengthen responses to corruption risks.
He urged members of the public to report suspicious activities, smuggling and corruption via its toll-free number 0800 122 9 019 or the official website.
Masiapato said the authority will continue to build on the successes of the 2026 Easter operation as lessons learned and intelligence gathered will inform future peak-period planning and operational effectiveness.
He said the successful execution of the operation reflects a maturing integrated border management capability that is responsive, coordinated and committed to safeguarding national sovereignty.
“Let us continue to secure our borders for development,'' he said.
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