The Border Administration Authority (BMA) stopped and detained greater than 6 000 people making an attempt to enter or depart South Africa illegally over the Easter interval.
Improve in Border Actions and Unlawful Crossings
BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato briefed the media on Monday 28 April, highlighting motion statistics and enforcement actions throughout the nation’s 71 ports of entry.
He talked about that the BMA carried out one in all its most intensive deployments so far. Growing visibility, boosting joint operations, and introducing technological reinforcements like drone surveillance and body-worn cameras.
“We registered about 1 057 063 actions throughout our 71 ports of entry. An 8% enhance in comparison with the 2024 Easter interval,” Masiapato mentioned.
He added that in simply 10 days, officers intercepted and apprehended 6 253 people making an attempt unlawful crossings. A 61% enhance from final yr’s Easter figures.
Officers recognized 4 795 as undocumented, categorised 1 055 as undesirable, and located 403 inadmissible as a result of points like fraudulent visas or lacking yellow fever certificates.
Officers fingerprinted and declared undocumented people undesirable for 5 years earlier than deporting them to their nations of origin, excluding facilitators.
Know-how Boosts Border Safety
Masiapato praised the impression of latest applied sciences on border operations.
“The deployment of high-tech surveillance drones and body-worn cameras has been a game-changer for our border patrols,” he mentioned.
Additional Arrests
Along with the unlawful crossings, authorities arrested 112 people at ports of entry or border regulation enforcement areas for numerous offences.
They handed the suspects over to SAPS for additional processing.
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