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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has recorded a significant increase in cross-border travel during the 2026 Easter period, with more than 1.2 million travellers passing through South Africa’s ports of entry.

Speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato said a total of 1 278 344 travellers were processed across the country’s 71 ports of entry over the 10-day operation period from 31 March to 9 April 2026. 

This represents a 21% increase compared to the 2025 Easter period, when just over 1 million travellers were recorded.

“The upward trend highlights the growing demand for cross-border travel during this period, as people travel for various reasons such as religious observances, holidays and or family gatherings,” Masiapato said. 

Of the 1 278 344 travellers recorded during the period, OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) facilitated the highest volumes of travellers at 234 389, a 6% increase when compared to the 220 339 traveller movements recorded in 2025 Easter.

This was followed by Lebombo Border Post with 195 293 travellers and Beitbridge Border Post with 148 451. 

Notably, Ficksburg Border Post recorded a sharp 57% increase in traveller volumes, while Maseru Bridge Border Post saw a 31% rise.

Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) also recorded growth, registering a 10% increase by facilitating 94 023 traveller movements, up from 85 631 facilitated during the 2025 Easter period.

In facilitating the above-mentioned movements, a total of 31 588 light vehicles were processed and thoroughly searched as part of the routine and risk-based inspections. 

About 8 937 commercial trucks underwent intensive inspections to mitigate the risk of smuggling and the movement of illicit goods. A total of 1 286 buses were processed, with passengers accordingly screened. 

Furthermore,10 523 taxis and 593 informal transport operators, commonly known as Malaishas, were inspected to ensure full compliance with cross-border movement protocols. 

In support of load compliance, about 1 478 trucks were subjected to weighbridge inspections to verify load compliance and detect any potential smuggling activities. 

Within the aviation modality, 61 flights were cleared by the BMA port health officials. In the maritime space, 76 vessels were officially cleared, of which 10 were processed through the off-port limit mechanism whereby crew changes were facilitated whilst the vessel is stationed at deep sea without having to dock at the port.

Masiapato said the Easter period remains one of the most demanding times in the border management calendar, requiring “heightened vigilance, seamless coordination and co-operation among stakeholders”.

“Importantly, the insights derived from this report will inform the future planning for such peak-periods, enhance stakeholder coordination and cooperation, whilst strengthening the Authority’s overall strategies for the successful implementation of effective, high-impact border movement cycles,” Masiapato said. 

The 2026 Easter operation was executed for a period of 10 days commencing on Tuesday, the 31st of March 2026 and ending on Thursday, the 09th of April 2026. This year’s operation aligns with the previous years’ operation in that it maintains a consistent 10-day timeframe to enable reliable and sound comparative analysis on statistical trends.

Masipato explained that the 2026 Easter Operation was implemented as a direct continuation of the December 2025 and January 2026 Festive Season Operations. 

“This transition ensured continuity in operational command and control, while reinforcing long term operational efficiency beyond periods of heightened movement,” he said. 

The implementation of this plan was overseen by several structures, including members of the Inter-Ministerial Consultative Committee (IMCC) on Border Management, chaired by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber. 

Fines and compliance enforcement

The Commissioner said that it was also worth mentioning that during this Easter period, a total of 2 509 fines were issued by various law enforcement entities operating within the border law enforcement areas, amounting to a combined value of R1 544 071. 

Of the 2 509 fines issued, 111 were issued by the BMA officials for non-compliance with the immigration act and this amounted to about R138 000.00.

“This represents a 192% increase in the imposed fines compared to the 38 fines issued in the 2025 Easter period. This is a demonstration of the BMA’s intensified efforts to enforce compliance with the provisions of the immigration act,” Masiapato said.

On port health specialised function

Given the various health risks, BMA port health specialists remained on high alert across all ports of entry, implementing heightened health screening measures to prevent the potential spread of infectious diseases into South Africa.

In this regard, a total of 72 717 travellers were screened, and 259 flights were disinfected to limit the cross-border transmission of infectious vectors and to eliminate disease carrying insects, particularly on flights arriving from high-risk regions.

Furthermore, 53 mortal remains were processed by BMA Port Health teams through ports of entry, with Beitbridge Border Post accounting for the majority.

On Agricultural and Environmental Bio-Security specialised function

Biosecurity teams comprising K9 Units, inspectors, animal health Technicians and Veterinarians, enforced compliance within terminals and the border law enforcement area along the borderline.

More than 20 000 kg of non-compliant regulated agricultural products valued at approximately R 4 759 502 were confiscated and destroyed at various ports of entry. These include animal products, plant products, and several prohibited food items such as mangoes, bananas and other assorted fruits.

The most intercepted consignments during this Easter period were recorded at Cape Town Harbour, which are still under detention for further processing. The consignments compromised of foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages such as whisky. – SAnews.gov.za

Enhanced border enforcement measures during the 2026 Easter period have led to a 24% decline in illegal crossings, according to the Border Management Authority (BMA).

Presenting the operational report during a media briefing on Sunday in Pretoria, Commissioner Michael Masiapato said 4 763 travellers were intercepted while attempting to enter or exit South Africa illegally, down from 6 253 recorded during the 2025 Easter period. 

Of those intercepted, 3 170 were undocumented persons, 998 were classified as undesirables, and 595 were deemed inadmissible for reasons including fraudulent visas and invalid travel documents.

Masiapato attributed the decline to strengthened enforcement strategies, including the deployment of drones, destruction of illegal crossing infrastructure, and increased patrols along key routes such as the Limpopo and Caledon rivers.

“All travellers intercepted without documents were fingerprinted, declared undesirable for five years and deported to their respective countries in accordance with the immigration Act,” he said. 

As in the previous periods, the Commissioner said the majority of the intercepted individuals were Basotho nationals, followed by Mozambicans, Zimbabweans, Swati nationals, Malawians and Ethiopians. 

“Notably, the total number of interceptions reflects a decrease when compared to the 6 253 recorded during the 2025 Easter period. This represents a reduction of approximately 24% and can be attributed to the deterrent effect of enhanced enforcement measures,” he said. 

He added that the enhanced enforcement measures include the deployment of drones, the continued arresting of facilitators, the destruction of makeshift boats and the removal of the anchors and erstwhile ropes used to facilitate illegal crossings/migration, particularly along the Limpopo and Caledon rivers.

The BMA also recorded an increase in arrests of facilitators aiding illegal migration, with 138 individuals apprehended, a 22% rise from the previous year. These suspects were handed over to the South African Police Service and charged accordingly.

During the operation, authorities conducted 42 joint law enforcement operations, including roadblocks, and carried out over 3 000 foot patrols and patrols across 159 hotspot areas.

In addition, border guards intercepted four vehicles being smuggled out of the country, while drugs, including 557 kg of cannabis and 48 kg of narcotics, were seized at ports of entry such as Jeppes Reef Border Post and OR Tambo International Airport.

Masiapato said the results demonstrate the effectiveness of integrated border management efforts and the use of technology to enhance operational capability.

“The successful execution of the Easter operations stands as clear evidence of a maturing, integrated border management capability, one that is responsive, coordinated, and firmly committed to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty. 

“The BMA’s performance reflects not only operational excellence on the ground, but also the resolve of a capable institution that continues to evolve, adapt and deliver tangible results for the people of South Africa,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Minister, Willie Aucamp, has commended the arrest of nine suspects who allegedly attempted to illegally harvest marine resources within the Robben Island Marine Protected Area.    

In a statement on Saturday, the Minister confirmed that the department initiated these arrests in two separate incidents involving attempts to harvest marine resources illegally. 

“I want to send a stern warning to poaching syndicates that the senseless and untethered poaching and plundering of our natural resources will come to an end, whether they like it or not. We will continue to fight until we win the fight against poaching,” the Minister said. 

In the first incident on the evening of Tuesday, 07 April 2026, two rubberducks carrying suspects approached the Robben Island Marine Protected Area and DFFE officials responded immediately.

To evade arrest, the suspects rammed their vessel into a departmental vessel, causing damage to both vessels.

Two suspects were apprehended and handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Table Bay SAPS for processing. The rubberduck used in the incident was recovered with assistance from South African National Parks (SANParks) and the National Sea Rescue Institute.

In the second incident on Thursday, 09 April 2026, officials were again alerted to the presence of two rubberducks approaching the Robben Island Marine Protected Area.

A joint response by DFFE and SANParks resulted in the successful interception and arrest of seven suspects during the early hours of Friday. 

The department reported that no serious injuries were sustained by its officials or SANParks officials during these two operations.

“The Department continues to collaborate with relevant authorities to strengthen enforcement operations and ensure the protection and sustainability of South Africa’s marine biodiversity. 

“In fact, we have recently established a joint enforcement-based task team with other relevant stakeholders, including Western Cape Province, City of Cape Town, South African Police Services and SANParks, to further intensify the fight against the illegal use of natural resources,” Aucamp said. 

The Minister has urged all stakeholders, including citizens and community leadership, to join the fight by remaining vigilant and supporting ongoing efforts to combat the illegal exploitation of our marine resources. – SAnews.gov.za

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, together with the MEC of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, has welcomed the arrival of an additional 50 000 Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine doses in the province. 

In a joint statement on Sunday, Premier Winde said the province’s efforts to combat FMD continue to make strong progress.

“This latest shipment will further bolster our drive to vaccinate the province’s entire herd and is critical in protecting our economy and jobs. I want to thank all our partners who continue to work with us in containing and ultimately eradicating FMD in our province,” he said.

The latest allocation was made possible through a partnership with Dairy Management Consulting.

More than 155 000 vaccine doses have so far been administered across 629 vaccination sites, with the support of 29 private veterinarians.

“As a province, we will continue pushing to procure our own FMD vaccines. This will further streamline and strengthen our response to the outbreak,” the Premier added. 

While the outbreak remains under control, the Premier stressed the importance of continued vigilance. 

“We must remain alert and agile. By working together, we can protect both our provincial herd and our economy,” he said.

MEC Meyer emphasised the importance of strengthened control measures.

“We continue to prioritise the strengthening of systems that monitor and manage animal movement across the province. These controls are one of our most important lines of defence against the further spread of FMD,” Meyer said.

Apart from the assistance of Dairy Management Consulting, the Western Cape Government also thanked Nova Feeds for covering the cost of the flight that transported the latest vaccine consignment to the province. – SAnews.gov.za