Border Management Authority prevented 505,065 people from entering country illegally in past 3 years

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has achieved a 92% in its second-quarter performance report for the 2025/26 financial year, spanning July 1 to September 30, 2025. 

BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato highlighted that the authority successfully met 11 of its 12 quarterly targets, as set in its Annual Performance Plan, overcoming various operational challenges previously reported. 

Masiapato spoke during a media briefing where he gave a report on the BMA’s work for the second quarter. 

He highlighted that heightened operational activities during the quarter were primarily driven by preparatory meetings for the G20 Leaders’ Summit. Over the three months, the BMA facilitated the attendance of several dignitaries at more than 40 G20 track meetings nationwide. Additionally, the Grobler’s Bridge port of entry processed a significant number of Zion Christian Church (ZCC) members attending their September pilgrimage in Moria, Limpopo.

“With all these activities, the BMA immigration officers processed a total of 9,283,658 travellers as they were entering and leaving South Africa in this second quarter of the financial year. This represents an increase of about 23% of processed travellers compared to the same period in 2024, where only 7,576,650 movements were recorded,” Masiapato said. 

“With the help of surveillance technology, mainly the drones, about 8,135 apprehensions were affected across the various ports of entry and the respective vulnerable segments, of which 4,092 were undocumented, 2,061 were inadmissible, and 1,982 were undesirables.” 

Masiapato noted that Basotho nationals constituted the majority of intercepted foreign nationals, reflecting a consistent, long-standing migration pattern within the sub-region, followed by Mozambicans, Zimbabweans, and Swati nationals.

Masiapato said that about 172,858 travellers were screened for port health purposes, and about 73 were refused entry for failing to produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. 

“The port health team also processed about 997 mortal remains, of which 964 were being exported, while 33 were imports. Unfortunately, about 25 mortal remains were returned due to failure to produce the required documentation,” Masiapato said.

In addition, port health teams presented and processed approximately 43,729 health-related consignments into the country. Despite this, they successfully intercepted and destroyed about 5,000 units of illicit birth control pills, 117 medical test kits, and some skin-lightening creams.

“In this regard, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) has warned that many of these products contain harmful and illegal ingredients, including high concentrations of mercury, hydroquinone, and tropical steroids, which pose a serious health risk, such as skin damage, kidney complications, and long-term toxicity,” Masiapato explained. 

“In addition, our port health team tested about 969 travellers for malaria, and about 57 were confirmed positive and transferred to the nearest medical facility.” 

He said that in the agricultural sector, about 39,316 consignments were presented and processed into the country. Moreover, about 1,241 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) consignments were presented and processed for entering the country in this second quarter. 

Masiapato also highlighted that incrementally, since July 2022, border guards stopped about 505,065 individuals from entering the country illegally, and in the current financial year about 15 suspected stolen vehicles were intercepted as criminal syndicates attempted to smuggle them out of the country.

“The vehicles were handed over to members of the SAPS for further processing. In terms of the intercepted vehicles, the incremental figure stands at about 349 vehicles since July 2022,” Masiapato said. 

Additionally, about 1,700 kg of counterfeit clothing and footwear, estimated at R1,280,645,00 was intercepted at various ports of entry in the 25/26 financial year, bringing the incremental value to about R220 million since July 2022.

Masiapato said officers also intercepted half a kilogram of crystal meth, 240 grams of heroin, and illicit cigarettes to the value of R827,500. 

Moreover, about 40 fraudulent travel documents were confiscated mainly at OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and the Vioolsdrift ports of entry. 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za