The Border Management Authority (BMA) says it is facing a fresh challenge at South Africa’s borders after thousands of undocumented foreign nationals attempted to return to the country following recent deportations.
More than 4,000 people have been intercepted while allegedly attempting to enter South Africa without valid documentation through border areas adjoining Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Mozambique.
The BMA said the interceptions formed part of intensified border operations following the departure of about 90,000 undocumented foreign nationals over the past three months.
BMA Intercepts Thousands Trying To Re-Enter South Africa
BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato told Parliament’s Home Affairs Committee on Tuesday that the authority had intercepted 4,229 people between 1 April and 31 July who allegedly attempted to enter the country illegally.
“We’ve been able to intercept over 4,229 individuals that did not have documents that were once again attempting to enter the country illegally.”
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Masiapato said the BMA was also focusing on people facilitating illegal entry into the country. Operations targeting these facilitators resulted in an additional 10,000 deportations, according to the authority.
The BMA has also shifted attention to vulnerable border areas, including parts of the Northern Cape, following the recent mass repatriations.
Stricter Border Checks For Visitors Entering South Africa
Masiapato said the BMA had tightened entry requirements for people travelling to South Africa on visitors’ visas.
Travellers are now expected to provide a residential address and proof that they have sufficient funds for their stay. Officials are also scrutinising the stated purpose of visits more closely.
“If they are also not able to indicate clearly the purpose of their visit, we are now, even in terms of the land ports, being more strict. And that’s why there’s more than 12,000 individuals that has been refused entry in just a three months’ period.”
The BMA said more than 12,000 people had been refused entry during the three-month period as officials stepped up checks at land ports.
The authority is also dealing with foreign nationals who remain in South Africa beyond the validity of their visas.
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Masiapato said more than 5,000 people who had overstayed their visas had been declared undesirable.
The latest figures come as the BMA continues to strengthen border controls following the departure of tens of thousands of undocumented foreign nationals from South Africa.
