BMA issues penalty to Ethopian Airlines – a R15k fine per traveller

Foreigners that were intercepted by BMA immigration and border law enforcement teams at OR Tambo

The Border Management Authority (BMA) says it will issue a fine of 15-thousand-rand per traveller to Ethiopian Airlines.

This comes after the BMA disrupted a suspected human trafficking operation at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park.

Fourteen Ethiopians and 16 Bangladeshis were intercepted by BMA immigration and border law enforcement teams at the airport and are now being processed.

BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi says Ethiopian Airlines will also be responsible for transporting the group back to their countries of origin.

“The investigations are still ongoing now to look at whether there was consent for them travelling to the country. We are now determining what was happening, but in the meantime, we need to process them, take their fingerprints and ensure that once everything is concluded, they must be sent back to their place of origin.”

WATCH | BMA’s Mmemme Mogotsi says the 14 Ethiopians and 16 Bangladeshis intercepted at OR Tambo will be deported to their home countries, and the airlines involved have been fined. pic.twitter.com/4nPsJa1NZ9

— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 12, 2025