MUSINA – The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is reportedly facing an unprecedented wave of aggression along the 223km Limpopo border. Soldiers deployed under Operation Corona are increasingly becoming targets of violent “stone-throwing” attacks by large groups of illegal migrants and smugglers, leaving them in a precarious position where they are often unable to retaliate. The situation has escalated significantly over the recent festive period and into January 2026.
According to recent field reports, patrol units have been ambushed by “border jumpers” who use the rocky terrain of the Limpopo River to launch projectiles at military vehicles and personnel. This tactic is often used as a distraction to allow larger groups of undocumented persons or smugglers carrying illicit cigarettes to slip past the security net while soldiers seek cover. Rules of Engagement and The “Hands-Tied” DilemmaWhile the soldiers are armed with R4 rifles, their strict Rules of Engagement prohibit the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians, even those acting aggressively.
“If we open fire on stone-throwers, we face international condemnation and criminal charges,” one soldier stationed near Musina revealed. This legal and ethical constraint has emboldened “magumaguma” (illegal guides) and smugglers, who now view the military presence as a hurdle that can be intimidated rather than a deterrent. The aggression is not limited to stones.
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In late December 2025, an SANDF member, Rifleman TM Mokoena, was stabbed while trying to intercept a massive influx of over 1,100 migrants. The growing boldness of these groups suggests a systemic breakdown in the fear of military authority at the border. Technological Gaps and Border StrainDespite the deployment of Border Management Authority (BMA) drones and high-tech surveillance, the sheer volume of crossings remains overwhelming.
When soldiers attempt to give chase, migrants often flee back into the “no man’s land” in the middle of the river, where South African forces lose jurisdiction. Major General Solomon Lechoenyo has previously emphasized that the military’s role is primarily to curb transnational crime, but the “stone-throwing” incidents have turned a security operation into a volatile confrontation zone. As the calls for a more robust border wall and increased manpower grow, the soldiers on the frontline remain caught between a rock and a hard place—literally.
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