A report published on Sunday, April 12, 2026, indicates that South Africa recorded a significant decline in illegal border crossings during the Easter period, following intensified enforcement measures.
According to the Border Management Authority (BMA), 4,763 individuals were intercepted attempting to enter or leave the country unlawfully, down from 6,253 in the 2025 Easter period—a 24% reduction.
BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato attributed the drop to enhanced operations, including the deployment of drones, increased patrols, and the dismantling of illegal crossing infrastructure along key routes such as the Limpopo and Caledon rivers.
Of those intercepted, 3,170 were undocumented migrants, while others were classified as undesirable or inadmissible due to fraudulent or invalid travel documents. All undocumented individuals were processed, declared undesirable for five years, and deported in line with immigration laws.
Authorities also intensified action against organized migration networks, arresting 138 facilitators, marking a 22% increase from the previous year. In addition, law enforcement carried out 42 joint operations, thousands of patrols, and seized drugs and stolen vehicles at various ports of entry.
Officials say the results demonstrate the growing effectiveness of coordinated border management and technology-driven enforcement in safeguarding national borders.