This is an increase of 61% compared to the 2024 Easter period.
Almost 5,000 of those arrested had no documentation, while others were using fraudulent visas.
Border Management Authority commissioner Michael Masiapato, gave an update on Easter operations undertaken between 15 and 24 April.
Masiapato says the majority of those arrested are from Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Mozambique.
The BMA operation includes 'extensive' personnel deployments to enhance visibility, joint law enforcement operations, and using high-tech equipment, including drone surveillance and body cameras, across its 71 ports of entry.
Masiapato has previously highlighted the use of these new technologies to bolster border control and crack down on illegal movement, while enabling real-time surveillance and quicker response from ground teams.
The commissioner also noted an increase in cross-border movements through the 2025 Easter period.
One million movements across South Africa's ports of entry were registered in the period under review.
This is an increase of 8% compared to the 2024 Easter Period, which saw at least 900,000 movements.
Despite this increased activity, Masiapato says these measures put in place across air, land and sea modalities continue to enhance operational stability and traveller safety.
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