Dr. Michael Masciapato, Commissioner of the Border Management Authority.
Technology-driven border management measures helped prevent illegal infiltration attempts into South Africa and increased arrests of those providing illegal assistance. migration.
This was revealed by the Border Management Authority (BMA), which provided the insight in its Easter period operational report at a media briefing on Sunday.
Commissioner Dr Michael Masciapato said 4,763 travelers were stopped while attempting to enter or exit South Africa illegally, down from 6,253 recorded during the 2025 Easter period. This represents a 24% decline in illegal crossings compared to the same period last year.
Of those apprehended, 3170 were undocumented persons, 998 were classified as undesirable, and 595 were deemed inadmissible for reasons such as fraudulent visas and invalid travel documents.
Masiapato attributed the decline to stronger enforcement strategies, including the deployment of drones, dismantling illegal crossing infrastructure and increased patrols on key routes such as the Limpopo and Caledon rivers.
“This Easter period, a total of approximately 138 facilitators were arrested, which represents a 22% increase compared to the 113 arrested during the 2025 Easter period. These facilitators were not deported, but rather handed over to the South African Police Service And he was charged with aiding and abetting in accordance with section 49(2) of the Immigration Act.
“The increase in the number of arrested facilitators can be attributed to the full-time deployment of drones and other technologies including body-worn cameras.
“In addition, the deployment of push-to-talk communications technology enhanced operational efficiency by enabling real-time tracking“Detecting and preventing illegal activities is acting as a significant force multiplier.”
The BMA said approximately 42 joint law enforcement operations, including roadblocks, were also conducted in collaboration with other law enforcement officers within border law enforcement areas.
Established under the Department of Home Affairs, the BMA is responsible for border law enforcement at all 71 ports of entry and other border law enforcement areas.
The authority facilitates and manages immigration, agricultural and environmental biosecurity, port health and general border law enforcement.
As South Africa faces the challenges of illegal immigration, sophisticated cross-border crime and smuggling of illicit goods at its borders, the BMA has prioritized a well-resourced border management system that relies on technology-driven tools.
The Commissioner highlighted that the BMA will continue to build on the successes of the 2026 Easter operation as it prepares for the upcoming peak period.
“The lessons learned, intelligence gathered, and partnerships strengthened during this deployment will directly inform our long-term strategic posture and enhance future operational effectiveness,” he said.
Masciapato praised BMA partners for supporting the Easter operational plan.
“These partnerships are in line with our commitment to technology-driven border management as they support the deployment of an integrated suite of advanced surveillance, mobility and protective technologies during the 2026 Easter period.”