South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) efficiently managed the movement of over 5 million travelers during the 2024/25 festive season, marking a significant increase of more than 51,000 compared to the previous year. Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber announced these figures during a recent media briefing, highlighting the BMA’s growing role in safeguarding the country’s borders. Schreiber described this festive season as a pivotal moment, showcasing the BMA’s capacity to streamline operations across all ports of entry.
“The past festive season was the biggest test of the BMA’s ability to act as the single command-and-control structure to improve the management of all border crossings,” Schreiber stated. With its centralized approach now fully operational, the BMA demonstrated its effectiveness in coordinating cross-border movement while enhancing security measures. This year’s results reflect the strides made in bolstering South Africa’s border integrity amid increasing travel demands.
A standout achievement for the BMA was the dramatic 215% increase in the prevention of illegal border crossings. In the 2023/24 season, 15,924 undocumented individuals were intercepted while attempting to enter South Africa unlawfully. This figure surged to 50,312 in 2024/25. Additionally, 6,159 individuals were flagged for overstaying their visas, while 1,923 were denied entry due to fraudulent documentation or non-compliance with entry regulations.
Beyond managing traveler flow, the BMA, working in tandem with the South African Police Service, made 322 arrests, including 132 individuals on wanted lists. Authorities also seized illicit goods, most notably R690 million worth of illegal cigarettes. These results underscore the BMA’s growing role not only in facilitating legal travel but also in combating cross-border crime, solidifying its position as a cornerstone of South Africa’s national security infrastructure.
