In line with the Border Administration Authority (BMA), the unlawful crossings knowledge highlights a long-standing migration sample.
Briefing the media in Pretoria on Sunday, BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato revealed the place most intercepted overseas nationals within the second quarter of the 2025 monetary 12 months (July to September) got here from.
“Nearly all of the intercepted overseas nationals have been Basotho, adopted by Mozambicans, Zimbabweans and Swati nationals,” Masiapato mentioned.
“This displays a constant and long-standing migration sample throughout the sub-region.”
Masiapato mentioned BMA immigration officers processed 9.28 million travellers within the second quarter – a 23% improve in comparison with the identical interval final 12 months.
He linked the surge to harder border enforcement and the expanded use of surveillance expertise, together with drones.
Throughout this three-month interval, the BMA made 8 135 apprehensions, together with greater than 4 000 undocumented travellers and practically 2 000 folks declared “undesirables.”
Because the first deployment of border guards in July 2022, officers have stopped greater than half one million folks from getting into South Africa illegally.
Crime, contraband and well being dangers
Other than unlawful crossings, the BMA’s quarterly report additionally revealed the dimensions of illicit items seized on the border.
Officers intercepted 1 700kg of counterfeit clothes and footwear (value an estimated R1.2 million), bringing the entire worth of counterfeit items intercepted since July 2022 to about R220 million.
Extra seizures at factors/ ports of entry included:
Half a kilogram of crystal meth
240 grams of heroin
R827 500 value of illicit cigarettes
40 fraudulent journey paperwork
5 000 models of unlawful birth-control tablets
117 medical take a look at kits
Banned skin-lightening lotions
Interceptions in the course of the quarter additionally included 15 suspected stolen automobiles.
“The incremental determine stands at about 349 automobiles for the reason that deployment of the primary contingent in July 2022,” Masiapato added.
Travellers screened, handled or turned away by BMA
Port well being operations additionally screened 172 858 travellers, with 73 refused entry for failing to current legitimate yellow fever vaccination certificates.
Malaria screening remained a precedence, with 969 travellers examined and 57 confirmed optimistic earlier than being despatched for therapy.
The BMA additionally processed practically 1 000 mortal stays, whereas 25 have been turned again as a result of incomplete documentation.
