24/7 roadblocks on N1 as Beitbridge border post crackdown intensifies

24/7 roadblocks on N1 as Beitbridge border post crackdown intensifies

Cape Town – Law enforcement agencies are set to increase their presence along the N1 route in Limpopo as authorities move to tighten border security and curb illegal movement into South Africa.

The Border Management Authority (BMA) announced a series of stricter measures following the seizure of 713kg of methaqualone at the Beitbridge Port of Entry, one of the largest drug busts recorded at the border in recent years.

The seized methaqualone, a key ingredient used in the manufacture of mandrax, has an estimated street value of nearly R1 billion.

Three suspects a Zambian man, a Malawian man and woman, have since been arrested, with the investigation now being handled by the Hawks, IOL reported.

BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato confirmed the new border security measures during a media briefing on the drug bust. According to The Citizen, Masiapato was joined by Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber on Friday as officials highlighted improvements in border management operations.

Masiapato said authorities had identified a concerning pattern where the number of passengers recorded at border posts differed significantly from the number of people later found travelling on buses and trucks further along the N1.


He explained that buses and trucks transporting foreign nationals often complied with paperwork requirements when entering South Africa, but additional undocumented passengers were later discovered during inspections.

The commissioner cited incidents in Polokwane and Bloemfontein where buses were intercepted carrying far more passengers than those listed on official border records.

Masiapato said authorities believe the additional passengers entered the country through illegal crossing points along rivers and other unguarded sections of the border before rejoining the N1 route.


While acknowledging that the BMA could not patrol every part of the border, he said the authority would intensify operations in areas under its control, including roadblocks and vehicle inspections.

“From today, there is going to be a 24/7 roadblock at the particular tollgate, and that is at Boabab,” Masiapato said during a media briefing.

The commissioner also announced that handwritten passenger manifests would no longer be accepted.

“We agreed that we are not going to accept a passenger manifesto that is handwritten. We have agreed that all buses when they exit Beitbridge, all of them are going to be compelled to go to the weighbridge,” he said.

Masiapato explained that some drivers were allegedly adding passengers to handwritten manifests while travelling, making it easier to conceal undocumented travellers.

Authorities have also tightened weighbridge procedures, with all buses now expected to stop for inspection rather than being selected randomly.

In addition, the BMA plans to introduce electronic cross-border permits as part of efforts to modernise border operations and reduce opportunities for document fraud.

Schreiber described the methaqualone seizure as a major breakthrough in the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking.

“This singular breakthrough vividly demonstrates our investment in intelligence-driven work, modern technology, digital transformation and building a new organisational culture,” said Schreiber.

“When you add in the intelligence work, when you add in the surveillance technology, it is methodically securing South Africa’s borders,” he added.

Picture: X@ZAGorvernment 

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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi

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