BIG changes coming to SA’s borders this month

New passport stamps, launched at SA’s borders from this month (August 2025), will hopefully stem the tide of corruption and unlawful immigration. This previous weekend, the Border Administration Authority (BMA) hosted a press convention in Pretoria to make clear.

Moreover releasing its quarterly report for the 2025/26 monetary yr, the BMA Commissioner, Michael Masiapato, highlighted key adjustments at SA’s borders. A brand new collaboration with the Authorities Printing Works brings with it a brand new passport stamp of the ‘highest safety requirements.’ Right here’s what it means to you …

SA’S BORDERS TIGHTEN UP

Instance of a South African entry stamp on a British passport. Picture: File

Principally, the BMA is introducing a brand new stamp at SA’s borders to forestall tampering, forgery, and unauthorised use. Withdrawal of the previous stamps was carried out concurrently with the distribution of the brand new one, experiences IOL.

“We began with immigration-based stamps for SA’s borders. However now we’ll embark on redesigning new stamps for different specialised capabilities. These embrace the likes of agriculture, well being and setting,” mentioned Masiapato.

BUSINESS AS USUAL

Likewise, Masiapato supplied an replace on the safety of SA’s borders. Within the first quarter of the yr, 9 954 individuals have been intercepted and deported whereas trying to enter the nation illegally. “Of these, 5 826 have been undocumented, 2 127 inadmissible and a couple of 001 undesirable. Furthermore, the bulk have been from Basotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique,” mentioned Masiapato.

Since July 2022, the BMA has prevented 496 622 individuals from crossing SA’s borders illegally. And over this era the border guards have intercepted greater than 350 automobiles being smuggled in another country by legal syndicates. Plus, guards have seized hundreds of thousands of Rands’ value of counterfeit clothes and footwear.