Johannesburg, South Africa – The Border Management Authority recorded a drop in illegal crossings during the 2026 Easter period, even as arrests of facilitators increased across South Africa’s borders.
Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato released the figures on Sunday, 12 April 2026, following a 10 day operation that ran from 31 March to 9 April. The operation covered 71 ports of entry and monitored movements during the busy Easter travel season.
More than 1.2 million travellers were processed during the period, reflecting a 21 percent rise in movements compared to the 2025 Easter holidays.
A total of 4,763 individuals were intercepted while attempting to enter or leave the country unlawfully. Of these, 3,170 were undocumented persons, 998 were classified as undesirables and 595 were deemed inadmissible for various reasons.
“Out of these 4,763 intercepted travellers, about 3,170 were undocumented persons, 998 were undesirables 595 were found to be inadmissible into the country for various reasons.
“Some people were in possession of fraudulent visas, or they just failed to produce yellow fever certificates, while coming from yellow fever infested jurisdictions. Some were just in possession of invalid travel documents. All travellers intercepted without documents were fingerprinted,” Masiapato said.
He added that those without valid documentation were declared undesirable for five years and deported to their home countries in line with the Immigration Act.
“They were effectively deported to their respective countries in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Act. As in the previous period, the majority of the intercepted individuals were Basotho Nationals, followed by Mozambicans, Zimbabweans, Swati Nationals, Malawians, as well as the Ethiopians.”
The Commissioner noted that the 4,763 interceptions mark a 24 percent decrease from the 6,253 recorded during the 2025 Easter period. Authorities attribute the reduction to tightened enforcement measures, including the use of drones, the destruction of makeshift boats and the removal of anchors and ropes used for illegal crossings along the Limpopo and Caledon rivers.
Among those intercepted were 29 minors, with 17 recorded at Lebombo and 12 at Beit Bridge. The children were handed over to the Department of Social Development for placement in safe environments and assistance with family reunification processes.
While illegal crossings declined, arrests of facilitators rose. A total of 138 facilitators were arrested during this Easter period, compared to 113 in 2025, representing a 22 percent increase.
“These facilitators were not deported but were handed over to the South African Police Service and charged with aiding and abetting under section 49(2) of the Immigration Act,” Masiapato said.
He attributed the rise in arrests to the full time deployment of drones, body worn cameras and Push To Talk communication technology, which improved real time tracking and coordination among officers.
OR Tambo International Airport processed the highest number of travellers during the Easter period, handling 234,389 movements, up six percent from 220,339 in 2025.
Lebombo Port of Entry, bordering Mozambique, facilitated approximately 195,293 travellers, reflecting a 21 percent increase from the previous year. Beit Bridge, linking South Africa and Zimbabwe, handled about 148,451 travellers, also a 21 percent rise.
Ficksburg Port of Entry to Lesotho experienced one of the sharpest increases, recording 113,942 travellers compared to 72,522 in 2025, a 57 percent jump. Maseru Bridge also saw growth, with 113,581 movements, up 31 percent from 86,547 last year.
Cape Town International Airport registered 94,023 traveller movements, marking a 10 percent increase from 85,631 during the 2025 Easter period.
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