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Lebombo Border Post
The Border Management Authority (BMA) has arrested the driver of a minibus intercepted at the Lebombo border post between South Africa and Mozambique for attempting to smuggle 14 undocumented minors into the country.
The children, aged between 14 and 16, were travelling unaccompanied, and BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mokgotsi confirmed that they had been placed under the care of the Social Services Department.
Mokgotsi adds that the vigilant border guards at Lebombo caught the minibus attempting to transport the minors from Mozambique into South Africa.
“Vigilant border guards intercepted a minibus taxi attempting to smuggle 14 undocumented and unaccompanied children from Mozambique, aged between 14 and 16-years-old, into South Africa through the Lebombo port of entry,” she says.
In a separate incident on Saturday, BMA officials intercepted a group of Bangladesh nationals at the Beitbridge port of entry, attempting to enter South Africa illegally without any passports.
In addition to the arrests, operations at the Lebombo port of entry have resumed after a temporary closure caused by post-election violence in Mozambique.
The unrest had caused delays, with cargo and travellers being stuck at the border.
Mokgotsi confirmed that the disruptions were minor, and the port has now resumed processing travellers and goods.
“The Lebombo Port of Entry has begun processing travellers and goods following minor disruptions that were experienced due to unrest on the Mozambican side,” she adds.
On Friday, 6 December 2024, vigilant BMA border guards intercepted a minibus taxi attempting to smuggle 14 undocumented children from Mozambique, aged between 4 and 16 years, into South Africa through the Lebombo Port of Entry. The driver was immediately arrested and charged with… pic.twitter.com/yn7hcIpzwr
— The Border Management Authority SA (@TheBMA_SA) December 8, 2024
