Johnathan Paoli
THE Border Management Authority (BMA) has said it remained vigilant, despite a significant increase in traveler volume and nature of crimes over Easter where over a million people went through South Africa’s entry ports between 26 March and 7 April.
BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato briefed the media on Sunday on the movement statistics and interceptions at ports of entry during the Easter period and said the authority recorded a 24% increase in traveler volumes compared to last year.
Masiapato said officials arrested nearly 4,000 people for trying to enter the country illegally and encountered a number of cross-border crimes, including illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and individuals aiding and abetting criminals.
“One individual was arrested while in possession of 13 passports. About 641kg [kilograms] of dagga to the value of R2 million was seized. Interception occurred in about 217 cases of counterfeit cigarettes with a value of R3 million,”
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