More than a thousand undocumented foreign nationals attempted to gain entry into South Africa illegally, a day after Christmas. Picture: Screengrab of video. This was revealed by the South African National Defence Force ( SANDF) on Tuesday.
The interception of Zimbabwean nationals occurred at the Groblersbridge Border Post, outside Lephalale in Limpopo. SANDF spokesperson Captain Moses Semono said they are facing a new dilemma, specifically during Christmas Eve and the Day of Goodwill. “On 26 December 2025, soldiers intercepted and arrested 1,174 undocumented persons from Zimbabwe attempting to enter South Africa through illegal border crossings.
“This marks the first time our members have had to manage such a massive influx during this period of the festive season,” Semono said. Semono said that during the interception, a SANDF member was wounded by an aggressive undocumented foreign national, but the aggressor was subdued. “Compounding the situation was the uncharacteristic aggressiveness of the individuals involved.
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Rifleman T.M. Mokoena sustained a stab wound to his forearm while defending himself against an undocumented person who attempted a life-threatening assault. “However, due to the high standard of training provided by the Defence Force, Rifleman Mokoena was able to thwart the danger and neutralise the threat without resorting to deadly force,” Semono said. Semono said Mokoena received treatment at the scene.
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