Over 58 000 Arrested For Trying To Enter Sa Illegally: Bma

The Border Management Authority BMA says more than 58 000 people who were attempting to enter South Africa illegally were detected and apprehended during its festive season operations.

The majority of them were from Lesotho, followed by Zimbabwe and Malawi.

This is more than double the number of interceptions compared to the 27 000 during the 2023-2024 festive period.

BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato says, "The total number of people that were intercepted to make sure they do not enter the country illegally is 58 394 individuals who were attempting to enter into South Africa illegally. This is more than double the number of interceptions compared to the 27 005 of the 2023/2024 festive period. So that on its own you can see the increase that the minister has attributed to."