South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) says enhanced enforcement during the 2026 Easter period led to a 24 percent reduction in illegal border crossings, with 4,763 travellers intercepted while attempting to enter or leave the country unlawfully.
According to BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato, the figures mark a significant decline from the 6,253 interceptions recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
“This represents a reduction of approximately 24 percent and can be attributed to the deterrent effect of enhanced enforcement measures,” Masiapato said while presenting the Easter operational report in Pretoria on Sunday.
He said the authority deployed drones, increased foot and vehicle patrols, dismantled illegal crossing infrastructure and intensified arrests of facilitators who assist migrants.
Of the people intercepted, 3,170 were undocumented, 998 were classified as undesirables and 595 were deemed inadmissible due to fraudulent visas or invalid travel documents.
All undocumented travellers were fingerprinted, declared undesirable for five years and deported in line with immigration law.
Masiapato said most of those intercepted were Basotho nationals, followed by Mozambicans, Zimbabweans, Swati nationals, Malawians and Ethiopians.
Illegal crossings have long posed a challenge for South Africa, particularly along porous sections of the Limpopo and Caledon rivers where makeshift boats, rope systems and informal crossing points are frequently used.
JN/APA