The Border Management Authority has strengthened South Africa’s preparedness for public health emergencies by conducting a two-day Ebola Virus Disease simulation exercise at the Beitbridge Port of Entry in Musina, Limpopo. The exercise, held from 19 to 20 August, was the BMA’s second Ebola simulation this year and follows a similar exercise conducted at OR Tambo International Airport on 19 June. The latest exercise focused on testing South Africa’s ability to detect, assess and respond to a suspected case of…

The Border Management Authority (BMA) confirmed on Thursday that border guards, working alongside law enforcement agencies, seized a large quantity of methaqualone — commonly known as “ABBA” and used in the manufacturing of mandrax — during a stop-and-search operation conducted on 27 May. According to the BMA, the truck was travelling from Malawi into South Africa when it was flagged for inspection at the busy border post, one of the region’s key commercial and migration corridors linking South Africa with…

The Border Management Authority (BMA) says it successfully processed nearly 300 Ghanaian nationals for repatriation from South Africa following extensive immigration checks at OR Tambo International Airport. According to a statement issued by the BMA on Thursday, Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato confirmed that 295 Ghanaians departed South Africa on a chartered flight arranged by the Ghanaian government through its High Commission in Pretoria. The repatriation operation comes amid heightened tensions on social media over undocumented migration and growing anti-illegal immigration…

The Border Management Authority (BMA) says it intercepted more than 4,000 undocumented travellers and confiscated over 20,000 kilograms of non-compliant agricultural products during a nationwide Easter enforcement operation. The 10-day blitz, which targeted key ports of entry across South Africa, forms part of a broader government push to tighten border controls amid growing public concern over illegal migration and cross-border smuggling. BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato confirmed that the seized goods, valued at more than R4 million, included prohibited animal and…

The Giriyondo Border Post in the northern region of the Kruger National Park is set to reopen on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, following a temporary closure caused by flood damage earlier this year. The reopening has been confirmed by the Border Management Authority (BMA), restoring a key access point for travellers and tourists using the transfrontier route between South Africa and Mozambique. The border post was forced to shut down in January 2026 after heavy rains led to flooding that…

The South African Policing Union (SAPU) has thrown its support behind the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum (BMIACF) initiative, which took place on 10 March 2026 at Ladybrand Hall and continued with a walkabout at the Maseru Port of Entry. SAPU says it supports the initiative because it aligns with the union’s longstanding commitment to fighting corruption in law enforcement. “Since the launch of the Border Management Authority (BMA), SAPU has been actively involved in anti-corruption efforts,” said Lesiba…

South African authorities have intensified efforts to clamp down on corruption within the country’s immigration system, with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) warning that some officials have effectively turned the country’s borders into a “marketplace” where permits and visas were sold to the highest bidder. Speaking during an anti-corruption campaign at the Maseru Bridge Border Post on Tuesday, acting SIU head Leonard Lekgetho said corruption within the border and immigration sector has become a serious threat to national security, economic…

In a major border security operation, the Border Management Authority (BMA), working in close coordination with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), has intercepted more than 20 minors aged between 5 and 17 years near the Beitbridge port of entry along the Limpopo River. Officials believe the children were en route from South Africa to Zimbabwe without lawful supervision. The interception occurred during routine border safeguarding patrols focused on preventing illegal crossings and protecting vulnerable groups. Alongside the minors…

Gift of the Givers has criticised the Department of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority for the inhumane treatment of 153 Palestinian refugees who were held on a plane at OR Tambo International Airport for 13 hours on Thursday. The humanitarian organisation said the prolonged delay caused distress to children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable passengers. Chairman and founder Imtiaz Sooliman said the situation was unacceptable and called for an urgent investigation. “For 13 hours, these refugees were kept…

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has ramped up efforts to secure South Africa’s ports of entry, releasing a detailed first-quarter performance report for the 2025/26 financial year on Sunday, 3 August. The report highlights major crackdowns on illegal immigration, smuggling, and cross-border health threats — while also marking the official rollout of tamper-proof immigration stamps to curb passport fraud. Established in 2023, the BMA is South Africa’s single, unified border enforcement agency tasked with managing immigration, customs, agriculture, health and…