A surge in returning holiday traffic across South Africa’s ports of entry provided cover for illegal border activity this weekend, leading to several arrests by the Border Management Authority (BMA) at the bustling Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe.
While officials processed tens of thousands of legal travelers, BMA officers conducted separate operations in the nearby bush, an area officially classified as a “vulnerable segment” and hotspot for illegal crossings. Authorities tracked down and apprehended two individuals who were not only entering the country illegally but were also believed to be facilitators guiding other undocumented foreign nationals through the terrain between the Limpopo River and the official port.
One of the arrested men, when questioned by officials, cited economic hardship as his reason for crossing. “I came here to South Africa because there is no money in Zimbabwe. I came here so that I can live better,” he said.
The enforcement action occurred amidst a major influx of returning residents. The BMA confirmed that the last 24 hours saw extremely high volumes, with Oshoek leading at over 28,000 processed travelers, followed by Beitbridge at 22,400 and Lebombo at 21,000.
The high traffic, however, led to significant delays and complaints from those re-entering legally. A traveler returning from a church trip to Malawi described a grueling wait. “We arrived here around 3:00 a.m. in the morning and we are still here,” she said, noting their bus was still stuck in Zimbabwe. “The experience is very a bit slow and bad.”
A BMA spokesperson, providing the traffic statistics, also highlighted the ongoing confiscation of prohibited agricultural goods from travelers. “You are not allowed to bring, for example, mangoes from outside South Africa into South Africa… Remember other countries don’t have an issue with that. So if they exit with a mango from South Africa, let’s say to Zimbabwe, they will accept it. On our side, we don’t. And those are the agricultural protocols,” the spokesperson explained, noting items like watermelons and mangoes were being seized.
The BMA indicated that the current return leg of processing holidaymakers is expected to continue until January 15th, with officials remaining on high alert for illicit activity amid the legitimate cross-border flow.