Lebombo – The Border Management Authority (BMA) has reported a sharp increase in unaccompanied minors intercepted at South Africa’s ports of entry during the 2025/2026 festive season.
BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said officials recorded a notable rise in cases involving undocumented children attempting to cross borders illegally. At Beitbridge Port of Entry alone, 53 unaccompanied minors were discovered, some as young as three years old.
“One particularly distressing incident involved an 11-month-old baby abandoned at the border on 13 December 2025,” Dr Masiapato said. He added that 15 minors were intercepted in mountainous areas near Lebombo Port of Entry while attempting to leave South Africa illegally.
The Commissioner also reported a case where a Mozambican national tried to smuggle a South African child to Mozambique. “It was later discovered that the child was reported missing in Johannesburg, and the suspect was immediately arrested and referred to SAPS for further processing,” he said.
All minors were referred to the Department of Social Development and placed in safe care facilities in line with domestic and international child protection laws. To address the growing challenge, the BMA and the DSD held an urgent bilateral meeting with Zimbabwean authorities at the Zimbabwean Embassy. Delegates agreed to conduct awareness sessions for parents and to jointly screen children before family reunification. Dr Masiapato also commended bus operators for avoiding the transportation of undocumented travellers, particularly minors.
Biosecurity measures
The BMA has continued to make progress in protecting South Africa against agricultural and environmental biosecurity threats. During the festive period, biosecurity specialists inspected over 369 703 pieces of luggage, confiscating and destroying more than 4 000 plants and plant products, fruit, chicken, dairy, honey, beef, vegetable seeds, spices, turkey meat, flowers and fresh leaves.
“Despite all this, the BMA continues to observe some travellers bringing unauthorised plants, animals and related products into the country,” Dr Masiapato said. He commended travellers who adhered to import regulations, avoiding alien invasive species, foreign pests and diseases.
Health screenings
Port Health officials screened approximately 1 361 270 travellers across all ports of entry. One set of human remains was intercepted, triggering health and forensic protocols. Several cases of fraudulent documentation were also detected, particularly among Angolan nationals using fake Emergency Travel Certificates, and travellers presenting fraudulent Yellow Fever certificates.
“Given the various outbreaks of infectious and communicable diseases across the world, the Port Health team ensured the significant intensification of proactive public health and security measures,” Dr Masiapato said. Fifteen sick passengers were identified on-board aircraft, while 514 travellers from Yellow Fever endemic countries were screened, including two without valid certificates.
In addition, 167 314 travellers from malaria-endemic countries were screened, with 213 suspected malaria cases tested. A further 236 844 individuals underwent follow-up screening for infectious diseases, strengthening early-warning and surveillance systems. Enforcement actions also led to the confiscation and destruction of prohibited products, including pesticides, unauthorised mosquito repellents, hair chemicals and skin-lightening creams.
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