South Africa is experiencing one of its busiest travel periods in recent years, driven largely by rising cross-border movement within the Southern African region, with law enforcement operations recording thousands of interceptions.
Briefing the media on festive season law enforcement plans for 2025/26, Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said immigration officers processed 9 283 658 travellers during the second quarter of the current financial year, a 23% increase from the 7 576 650 movements recorded during the same period last year.
Masiapato said the surge in traveller volumes reflects the growing mobility of people across the Southern African Development Community (SADC), alongside strengthened border controls supported by new surveillance technology, including drones.
During the quarter, a total of 8 135 apprehensions were recorded across ports of entry and vulnerable border areas. These included 4 092 undocumented individuals, 2 061 inadmissible travellers and 1 982 declared undesirable.
“The majority of the intercepted foreign nationals were Basotho, followed by Mozambicans, Zimbabweans and Swati nationals, reflecting a long-standing and consistent migration pattern within the sub-region,” Masiapato said.
Since the deployment of border guards in July 2022, officers have prevented an estimated 505 065 people from entering South Africa illegally, highlighting both the scale of irregular migration and the pressure on border institutions.
Organised cross-border crime also remains a concern. During the quarter, officers intercepted 15 high-powered suspected stolen vehicles believed to have been targeted by criminal syndicates for smuggling out of South Africa and into neighbouring countries. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has taken over further investigations.
“The cumulative figure now stands at about 349 vehicles intercepted since the first Border Guard deployment in July 2022,” Masiapato said.
BMA officers also seized 1 700 kilograms of counterfeit clothing and footwear valued at R1.28 million, bringing the total value of counterfeit goods intercepted since July 2022 to approximately R220 million — much of it linked to cross-border trade networks.
Additional seizures included half a kilogram of crystal meth, 240 grams of heroin, illicit cigarettes valued at R827 500, and 40 fraudulent travel documents. These were mainly confiscated at OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and the Vioolsdrift border post linking South Africa and Namibia.
Port health operations screened 172 858 travellers during the quarter, with 73 denied entry for failing to present valid yellow fever vaccination certificates, a key requirement for travellers from certain African countries. Officials also processed 997 mortal remains, 964 exports, and 33 imports, while 25 were returned due to incomplete documentation.
Port health teams handled 43 729 health-related consignments and intercepted and destroyed 5 000 units of illicit birth control pills and 117 medical test kits, including skin-lightening creams.
“The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has warned that many of these products contain harmful and illegal ingredients, including high concentrations of mercury, hydroquinone and topical steroids, posing serious health risks,” Masiapato said.
Health officials also tested 969 travellers for malaria, with 57 positive cases confirmed and transferred to medical facilities. In the agricultural stream, 39 316 consignments were processed, reflecting continued high volumes of regional food and agricultural trade.
Masiapato announced that the BMA, in partnership with Transnet National Ports Authority, has secured permanent operational space for Coastal Guards at the ports of Mossel Bay, Gqeberha, Richards Bay and East London.
“This is a critical development towards establishing the BMA’s full-time presence in key seaports that are vital not only to South Africa’s economy, but to regional trade across Southern Africa,” he said.
