BMA Reveals Festive Season Plans To Tackle Illegal Immigration, Smuggling

The Border Management Authority (BMA) revealed a plan for the festive season, from December 2024 to January 2025, to handle the higher volume of border activities and avoid illegal immigration, cross-border crimes and the smuggling of illegal goods in South Africa.

The authority will extend the operating hours at major border posts during the festive season, add 69 extra staff members, and work closely with Interpol and local law enforcement agencies, as per BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato, SA News reported.

Masiapato said the authority expects to manage over six million people, similar to the number of people South Africa used to handle before the COVID-19 pandemic during holidays.

He explained that the main goal is to ensure smooth, effective, and efficient operations at border posts, where only authorized individuals and goods will be allowed to enter or leave South Africa.

Masiapato announced that border posts and vulnerable areas along the border will be well-protected to stop any illegal activities, adding that the agency will detect and seize illegal goods like drugs and stolen vehicles.

As Operation Vala Umgodi continues to address illegal mining, Masiapato assured that border guards remain alert and ready to stop deported illegal miners from trying to re-enter South Africa. He warned travelers not to engage in criminal activities at border posts, as they will be caught, arrested and deported.

Furthermore, he also mentioned the ongoing food contamination issues in the country and said, the BMA aims to improve the detection and interception of illegal attempts to bring banned pesticides, like aldicarb and terbufos, into the country.

Aldicarb is banned in South Africa, and terbufos has been linked to the deaths of six children in Naledi, Soweto. Masiapato added that biosecurity experts have been given specific protocols to enforce at all ports of entry.

The BMA manages the movement of people and goods through 71 border posts, which include 52 land ports, 10 international airports, and nine seaports. The 10 busiest border posts, which handle the most people include major international airports and land ports to neighboring countries.

"During the return leg in January 2025, we would like to send a stern warning to all individuals who might be planning to try to enter South Africa illegally: border guards, working together with members of the SANDF [South African National Defence Force], will be waiting for them," he added.