BMA Blocks 88 ‘Undesirable’ Foreign Nationals And Seizes Counterfeit Nike Sneakers At SA Borders

The Border Management Authority (BMA) stopped 88 “undesirable” foreign nationals from entering South Africa on Christmas Day and intercepted a Mozambican national attempting to smuggle counterfeit Nike sneakers on Boxing Day.

According to BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato, more than 18,450 travellers were processed while exiting South Africa into Mozambique on Christmas Day. Of these, around 450 people — mainly women and children — were processed manually.

“BMA colleagues are inserting those manually processed individuals into the enhanced movement control system,” Masiapato said.

Border security operations during festive travel surge

Masiapato explained that the 88 individuals were declared undesirable upon arrival at ports of entry, largely due to previous overstays beyond the permitted 90-day visit period in South Africa.

While no major interceptions were recorded in high-risk areas such as mountainous terrain, authorities did seize more than 80 counterfeit Nike sneakers on the morning of Boxing Day. The items were allegedly being smuggled from the Mozambican side of the border.

Arrests and cargo movement at Lebombo border post

In a separate incident, a man suspected of facilitating illegal migration was arrested for aiding and abetting, in accordance with the Immigration Act.

“All affected individuals are being processed in line with applicable immigration and law enforcement prescripts,” Masiapato said.

On the commercial front, the BMA confirmed that 805 trucks were cleared at KM7, transporting goods from South Africa into Mozambique and onward to the Port of Maputo.

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“We can confirm that the N4 is cleared as far as the movement of trucks is concerned towards the Lebombo port of entry,” Masiapato added.

“The BMA remains fully deployed and vigilant, ensuring both the facilitation of legitimate movement and the prevention of illegal activities at our ports of entry and along the borderline, particularly during this peak festive period,” he said.

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