BMA intensifies border management and anti-fraud measures for Easter weekend

Border Management Authority’s assistant commissioner Balene Mkhabela said the planning phase started on February 5 with a focus on inter-agency coordination, risk assessment, intelligence analysis, resource mobilisation and finalisation of readiness plans. Image:Government pushes anti-corruption campaign at Maseru Bridge to restore integrity at borders The Border Management Authority (BMA) on Tuesday said it has intensified border line management and is implementing its anti-fraud and corruption campaign during this Easter weekend. Briefing the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee onplanned operations to be conducted during the weekend, BMA’s assistant commissioner Belene Mkhabela said the planning phase started on February 5.

He stated that the focus is on inter-agency coordination, risk assessment, intelligence analysis, resource mobilisation, and finalisation of readiness plans. He said they were now at the execution phase, which started on Monday and will run until April 9. “During this phase, resources will be enhanced, personnel redeployed, and post-operation assessments initiated to capture lessons learnt and operational insights,” he said.

Mkhabela noted thatthe Easter operation was marked by increased movements of goods and persons, mainly for religious pilgrimages, holidays, and family visits. He told the MPs that their operations were designed to manage traveller movement, mitigate congestion, and enhance border security. “Intelligence indicates with high confidence that the border management law enforcement agencies are prepared for a further escalation in overall volume for the 2026 Easter period.

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This surge will be characterised by predictable peaks in flow direction and volume,” he highlighted. Mkhabela also said they have identified 12 critical ports of entry of focus, followed by 11 vulnerable segments of the border line and the top three busiest ports of entry. Beitbridge, Maseru Bridge, and Lebombo border posts are expected to haveextreme congestion and traffic levels on Thursday. High volumes, especially on Friday morning, are expected at Beitbridge and Grobler’s Bridge, as well as extreme congestion when travellers return on Monday.

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