Several suspects arrested at OR Tambo for illegally attempting to enter SA
The passengers were denied entry into South Africa after they were found not to have the required legal documentation.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) last week congratulated the Border Management Authority (BMA) following the recent detection of a group of foreign nationals who arrived in Johannesburg without the proper documentation.
BMA immigration officials intercepted a group of 10 Bangladeshi nationals who arrived at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) on June 1 on a Qatar Airways flight.
Some of these travellers did not have the proper documentation to enter South Africa.
ALSO READ: Man busted for attempted human trafficking at OR Tambo Airport
Five of the passengers were refused entry as four presented fake visas purportedly issued by the South African High Commission, in New Delhi, India, and one had a fake visa supposedly issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
Of the other five, one traveller had a valid permanent residence permit, three had valid relative visas and one was in transit to Eswatini.
This group was granted entry into South Africa.
ACSA regional GM Jabulani Khambule praised officials for their hard work and dedication to protecting South Africa’s points of entry.
“This latest successful interception of illegal travellers by the BMA demonstrates the importance of our multi-agency safety and security approach throughout our environment to enhance airport and aviation security in general.
ALSO READ: Hawks arrest suspects at OR Tambo for alleged drug trafficking
“We have rolled out this aviation security model that is vertically and horizontally integrated with various law enforcement authorities to root out criminality across our airports,” said Khambule.
He warned that ACSA has a zero-tolerance approach to criminal or unlawful behaviour at OR Tambo International Airport and any form of criminality will not be tolerated.
This latest incident follows a similar one on May 25 when BMA immigration officials intercepted a group of 28 travellers from Bangladesh who arrived at ORTIA on a flight from Dubai.
ALSO READ: National Shutdown: Protesters arrive at OR Tambo International Airport
The passengers were denied entry into South Africa after they were found not to have the required legal documentation.
One did not have a visa, while the other 27 were found to have fraudulent visas.
“The latest interception is yet another great result stemming from the collective efforts of various stakeholders at national key points to ensure that, by working together, our country’s points of entry are kept safe,” said Khambule.
