The BMA reported a sharp rise in illegal border activity, arresting 8,000 people and destroying thousands of dangerous and illegal goods. South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) has intercepted and destroyed 5,000 units of illicit birth control pills, 117 medical test kits, and various skin-lightening creams, BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said on Sunday. In a media briefing in Pretoria, Masiapato also announced that 8,000 people were arrested in the second quarter of the 2025-2026 financial year for attempting to enter the country illegally.
He said the majority were Basotho nationals, followed by Mozambicans and Zimbabweans. Masiapato said the briefing was “held at a critical time when the nation is currently observing the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.” “Therefore, as the BMA, we reaffirm our commitment to ensure the protection and seamless facilitation of the movement of women and all the vulnerable groups as and when they present themselves across any of our 71 ports of entry.” The briefing also detailed festive season law enforcement operations and highlighted the movement of people and goods across South Africa’s ports of entry from July 1, to September 30, 2025.
