BMA intercepts more than 4,200 people attempting to enter SA illegally
BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato says 4,229 people without documents were intercepted attempting to enter South Africa illegally between April and July, amid intensified operations along vulnerable border areas.
Between April and July 2023, the Border Management Authority (BMA) intercepted 4,229 undocumented people attempting to enter South Africa illegally, according to a report to Parliament's Home Affairs committee. The majority of these individuals were found near the Zimbabwean border, followed by the Lesotho and Mozambique borders.
The BMA conducted 318 multidisciplinary operations during this period, including static roadblocks along major corridors to detect those who had evaded formal border controls. In addition to interceptions, the BMA denied entry to 12,100 people due to stricter screening measures at land ports. These requirements included clear addresses for entry, financial means to sustain oneself, and a valid purpose for the visit.
The BMA also arrested 760 individuals, targeting those who facilitated illegal entry, and processed around 89,936 repatriations, mostly Malawian nationals, through border reinforcement operations. Plans are underway to relocate refugee reception centers to ports of entry to streamline the process for asylum seekers. The BMA is also preparing for the implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and Enhanced Movement Control System 2.0, which will cost approximately R250 million.
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