By Akani Nkuna
Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Michael Masiapato has raised alarm over a surge in the smuggling of minors through the Lebombo and Beitbridge ports of entry, urging urgent government-level engagement with Zimbabwe and Mozambique to curb the practice.
“It is indeed a worry for the BMA to continue having children as young as three years old coming through the ports without any documents. In some instances, they come with a taxi driver, without any parent, guardian or adult,” Masiapato said on Sunday.
He said authorities were working with social development agencies and regional counterparts to intensify cooperation.
“The only thing we can do is to intensify engagement with the Zimbabwean and Mozambican authorities to ensure that we curb this particular challenge,” he said.
Masiapato was speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria where he delivered the BMA’s 2026 Easter Operational Report, outlining movements and interceptions at ports
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