Cape Town – The Border Management Authority (BMA) says it intercepted 8 135 people attempting to enter South Africa illegally between July and September this year.
More than 4 000 were undocumented, while nearly 2 000 were classified as undesirables.
Most offenders came from Lesotho, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Eswatini, consistent with long-standing trends.
“Historical data confirms that Basotho nationals continue to lead, followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans,” the authority’s commissioner Michael Masiapato said.
WATCH | BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato says more than 8,000 people were arrested in the second quarter of this financial year for attempting to enter the country illegally. He adds that the majority were Basotho nationals, followed by Mozambican and Zimbabwean nationals. pic.twitter.com/V2uA4In0OQ
— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 7, 2025
Officials also picked up 40 fraudulent travel documents, mostly at OR Tambo and Cape Town international airports and at the Vioolsdrift border post.
Beyond people, the BMA confiscated millions of rands’ worth of fake and harmful goods, including dangerous skin-lightening creams flagged by Sahpra.
Ahead of the festive season, the BMA says Basotho nationals typically lead illegal crossings, followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans.
To manage peak traffic, operating hours will be extended at several border posts between South Africa and Botswana, Mozambique, Eswatini and Lesotho.
The BMA expects the usual “exit leg” from 10–31 December as travellers leave the country, followed by a heavy “entry leg” from 1–15 January as people return.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
