EMASWATI who will enter South Africa through informal crossings will be arrested and deported back to the kingdom this festive season.

The Border Management Authority (BMA), in partnership with other stakeholders in border law enforcement, including the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), will operate unmanned aerial systems (drones) to monitor congestions, illegal movement of people across the borderline and any acts that require interventions.

This, according to the BMA’s Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato, would be implemented from December 10, as per the operation plan. He said from this date, the ports of entry, especially the vulnerable segments of the borderlines with South Africa, would be adequately guarded to intercept those who would be found to have illegally entered the Republic without the required documents.
“Only legitimate people and goods will be allowed to enter and exit South Africa.
The BMA warns travellers to desist from committing any form of crimes around ports of entry and border law enforcement areas,” stated Masiapato.

Therefore, he advised travellers who will enter and exit South Africa to ensure that all the required documents, including passports, travel documents and visas where applicable, were in order to avoid unnecessary delays at entry and exit ports.
While security would be beefed up at the legal ports, Masiapato said border guards will be deployed to intensify security along the vulnerable segments of the border, and members of the SANDF would be also present operating the drones that will monitor the borders for quick reaction and apprehension of illegal migrants and other cross-border criminals.
Arrested

“Illegal immigrants will be detected, arrested and deported. A total of 410 000 illegal immigrants have been intercepted since the deployment of the first cohort of the border guards in July 2022. A majority of these were fingerprinted, declared undesirable for five years and deported,” stated Masiapato.
Additionally, Masiapato said the authority had also intensified measures to detect and seize illicit goods such as narcotics and stolen motor vehicles.

Further, the commissioner said with theongoing‘OperationValaUmgodi’, the border guards would remain vigilant and prepared to intercept deported illegal miners and deter them from re-entering South Africa.

Last month, November 14, about 30 Emaswati were arrested in South Africa after they were working without permits while others did not have valid travel documents. Those who had passports were fined E1 000 each and they were deported back into the country, while those who did not have passports would be fined over E2 000 in addition to spending time behind bars before their deportation.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs, through its Communications OfficerMlandvo Dlamini, also encouraged Emaswa ti who were used to entering South Africa via informal crossings to apply for travel documents so that they could use formal border posts to enter and exit the Republic.