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Over 1,5 million people crossed South African borders on Easter weekend, an 8% increase compared to the same period last year.
BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato with some of the drones used during their operations. Picture: BMA
The Border Management Authority (BMA) has revealed that officials intercepted and detained over 6 000 individuals who were attempting to enter or leave South Africa illegally.
BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato was briefing the media on Monday on the movement statistics as well as interceptions at various Ports of Entry during the Easter period.
Movements in SA
Masiapato said during the Easter period, the BMA executed one of its most extensive deployments to date across all 71 Ports of Entry, with enhanced visibility, joint law enforcement operations, and technological reinforcements through drone surveillance and body-worn cameras.
“We registered about 1 057 063 movements across our 71 ports of entry, which is an increase of 8% compared to the 2024 Easter period where we registered about 974 729.”
WATCH Dr Michael Masiapato speaking about the BMA’s operation during Easter
[WATCH]
The BMA claims that, in just 10 days, they intercepted and detained 6,253 individuals who were attempting to enter or leave the country illegally and about 112 were arrested and handed over to SAPS. pic.twitter.com/Hcw3QIdvMK— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 28, 2025
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Interceptions
He said the number of people trying to enter or leave South Africa has increased.
“Just in a period of 10 days, we have been able to intercept and apprehend a total of 6 253 persons who were attempting to either enter or exit South Africa illegally. This is an increase of 61% compared to the 2024 Easter interception of 3 841.
“Out of these 6 253, about 4 795 were undocumented, about 1 055 were undesirable and 403 were found to be inadmissible for various reasons, such as fraudulent visas, failure to produce yellow fever certificate,” Masiapato said.
Masiapato added that those intercepted without documents were fingerprinted, declared undesirable for five years and deported to their countries, with the exception of facilitators.
Technology
He said drone technology and body-worn cameras have been a game-changer for border management work and enhancing border patrol operations.
“These increased interceptions of 61% can be attributed to the deployment of high-tech surveillance drones and body-worn cameras. In addition to the 6 253, about 112 individuals were arrested at the ports of entry and or border law enforcement area for various reasons and were handed over to members of the Saps for further processing.”
Motor vehicles
Masiapato said during this Easter period, border guards also successfully intercepted four motor vehicles and one motorcycle which were attempting to be smuggled out of the country.
“A 22-seater minibus and a sedan passenger vehicle were impounded at Beit Bridge port of entry after the vehicles were used for aiding and abetting illegal migration.”
Travellers to SA
According to the BMA, Of the 1 057 063 travellers, OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) facilitated the majority of the travellers at 220 339 which is a 9% increase compared to the 199,873 movements of 2024.
“Interestingly, Beit Bridge became the third busiest port and facilitated about 122 228 which is a 16% decrease compared to the 2024 movements of 141,281.
“Further, even Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) registered an 9% decrease by facilitating only 85,631 movements compared 93 012 facilitated during 2024 Easter,” Masiapato said.
Masiapato said two immigration officials were also arrested in Beit Bridge for collaborating with facilitators attempting to allow the movement of undocumented individuals to enter the country illegally.
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