BMA prepares for massive influx at Beitbridge Border Post

Border Management Authority officials

The Border Management Authority (BMA) says it is anticipating a high number of people to be processed through the Beitbridge Border Post during the return phase of their travels for the festive season.

The BMA, working with several stakeholders including the SANDF, has also successfully intercepted just over 7 000 people attempting illegal crossings at various land borders since the start of the festive season.

It is a fairly quiet New Year’s Day at the Beitbridge port-of-entry as officials await the influx of returning travellers after the festive season holidays.

BMA is anticipating a steady increase of travellers returning to South Africa in the coming days and it will be conducting various operations during this time.

BMA Assistant Commissioner Joyce Sibanyoni says that during December, more than 7 000 people were intercepted for attempting to enter the country illegally.

“I must to indicate that we are quite ready for that, we have seen quite a high number of interceptions all over the borders which was 7 000 and I need to indicate that above all else the majority of the number which is more than 3 000 it was Zimbabwean nationals and above all that they were crossing through the Groblersbridge Border Post, Beit Bridge. Yes, we have encountered a number of interceptions,” says Sibanyoni.

Meanwhile, South African National Defense Force’s Carl Lewis says they will also accelerate their operations at identified hotspots along the border.

“We have got boots on the ground to ensure that such activities do not take place. We have deployed our members across various hotspots also at places maybe they will assume are not hotspots, but we have also deployed resources there,” says Lewis.

BMA Commissioner Dr Mike Masiapato will conduct a site inspection at the Beitbridge Border Post from Friday.

For now, the port of entry remains quiet.

@TheBMA_SA From the BMA, Happy 2025 festive season. For more info, visit the BMA website on https://t.co/SaKjTWp2PX #SABORDER #SECUREBORDER #Immigration #operationhitivise #BMA pic.twitter.com/GV0LtFnU5j

— The Border Management Authority SA (@TheBMA_SA) December 25, 2025