South Africa’s border security faced immense pressure over the festive season as the Border Management Authority (BMA) intercepted 58,394 foreign nationals attempting to enter the country illegally. The figures, covering the period between December 10 and January 15, were presented to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, sparking renewed calls for increased resources to bolster border control operations.
During the holiday period, over five million people traveled through South Africa’s borders, with OR Tambo International Airport processing more than one million passengers. Beit Bridge and Ficksburg emerged as the busiest land border crossings, with over 600,000 and 400,000 travelers, respectively.
The number of undocumented migrants intercepted more than doubled compared to the previous year’s tally of just over 27,000. Among those caught, 50,312 were classified as undocumented migrants, 6,159 as undesirable persons, and 1,923 as inadmissible individuals. Instead of being arrested, those apprehended were fingerprinted, barred from re-entering South Africa for five years, and returned to their country of origin.
Authorities attributed the surge in detections to enhanced security measures, including the deployment of drones, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, and joint patrols along high-risk border segments. Telle Bridge, located on the Lesotho-South Africa border, accounted for nearly half of all intercepted migrants, totaling 24,538. Basotho nationals led the list of those caught, followed by Mozambicans, Zimbabweans, Malawians, and Swazis. In total, 41,059 Basotho were found attempting to enter the country unlawfully.
Despite these efforts, only 322 arrests were made during the period. Among those detained were 196 Mozambicans, 58 Basotho, 42 Zimbabweans, and three South Africans.
EFF MP Thapelo Mogale raised concerns about the cost of deportations, revealing that R200 million had been spent on returning illegal migrants. He questioned whether the BMA had the necessary resources to secure South Africa’s borders effectively. Currently, the agency operates with just 44 patrol vehicles and 28 motorcycles to monitor vast stretches of border terrain.
Mogale urged the government to reallocate funds from deportation efforts to strengthening border enforcement, arguing that without enhanced capacity, deported individuals would continue to re-enter the country.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber acknowledged these concerns, stating that the demand for BMA operations had grown alongside their progress. He indicated that increased funding would not only benefit the BMA but also other departments under his ministry.
The festive season crackdown also resulted in significant property seizures. Authorities confiscated 38 vehicles, two taxis, a truck, and a boat used in smuggling operations. Contraband goods intercepted included 3,310 cartons of cigarettes, 1,915 bottles of alcohol, and nearly 950 kilograms of marijuana. The South African Revenue Service imposed fines totaling R1.9 million for customs violations, while transporters using incorrect permits faced penalties amounting to R5.2 million. Additionally, 20 tons of fruit and 10 tons of vegetables were seized at land ports.
