South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) has deported 25 foreign nationals who attempted to enter the country through Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport.
BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato said among the deported individuals were 14 Bangladeshis, six Pakistanis, four Ghanaians and one Nigerian.
“Thirteen Bangladeshis and three Pakistanis were found to be in possession of fake visitors’ visas whereas one Bangladeshi, a Nigerian, three Pakistanis and four Ghanaians, failed to meet the relevant entry requirements on arrival,” Masiapato said in a statement on Wednesday.
He said the deportations were carried out in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards, which require airlines to return travellers who enter a state illegally to their countries of origin at the carrier’s own expense.
The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) applauded the latest interception of illegal travellers as a demonstration of the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards unlawful activities at the country’s ports of entry.
“These latest successful interceptions of illegal travellers by the BMA demonstrates the importance of our multi-agency safety and security approach throughout our environment to enhance airport and aviation security in general,” ACSA regional general manager Jabulani Khambule.
Illegal immigrants were one of the hot topics in the run-up to the May 29 South African national and provincial elections, with most political parties pledging to clampdown on undocumented foreign nationals.
JN/APA