Border Management Authority delivered the implementation of the 2025 Border Management Easter plan.

 On Monday April 28^th the Border Management Authority delivered the implementation of the 2025 Border Management Easter plan.

The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA) Michael Masiapato briefed the media. The commissioner briefed the media on April 10^th and discussed the plans of the Easter operation, the commissioner states the plan was executed for 10 days starting from April 15^th to the 24^th April. Each year the commissioner has a 10-day Easter operation plan that prohibits unnecessary illegal activities. A number of law enforcement officials and a number of government entities were part of the operation. The commissioner says thanks to traffic and law officials criminals did not stand a chance and were caught first hand before committing crimes which shows that the authority of the state cannot be undermined.

For the first time no major roadblocks were conducted leading to major ports of entry compared to previous years. According to the commissioner he is impressed with Border management work and intelligence.

 

The commissioner started with the Biometric movement control system  during the Easter period over 1 million 57 thousand and 63 movements across the various ports. Of the 1 million 57 thousand and 63 movements majority were heading to or from OR Tambo international airport a 9% increase compared to last year. The Limbombo port had 161,457 travelers which is a 14% increase. Figsburg port recorded a 31% increase of travelers. Masiapato states that Beitbridge became the third busiest port and according to him it is a surprise although there was a slight decrease. Cape Town international airport also experienced a slight decrease of 9%.

 The BMA processed about 65 400 light motor vehicles as part of the stop and search operations and risk based inspections. About 14 410 freight vehicles underwent searches to eliminate the risk of illicit goods and smuggling. 2,378 buses were processed and the passengers were accordingly screened. 3,114 taxis as well as 2,84 informal transport operators.

Despite the BMA security being tight they faced a number of challenges during the Easter period and still managed to arrest and detain the criminals with the help of body cams and drones.

One of the main problems South Africa faces are illegal immigrants who attempt to flee the country once asked for documentation. Out of 6 253 illegal immigrants 112 were arrested at the port entry due to lack of accurate documentation and illegal activities. 83 joint operations were conducted with the help of police officials as well as 59 roadblocks and screening was conducted at hotspot areas during this period.

 During the long weekend law enforcement officials stopped 4 motor vehicles, 1 motorcycle which was attempted to be smuggled out of South Africa. Not only were alcohol and drugs confiscated at ports, but also food items 3 043kgs of non-compliant agricultural products at various ports which according to the commissioner shows that not even food items are secure.

The commissioner said the BMA will continue to build on the successes of this Easter operation and prepare for the upcoming peak periods like the G20.

In closing Masiapato thanked the BMA, law enforcement and police officials for their help during the successful Easter period.

Done by Shaneca Cupido