Nearly 500 Zimbabwean nationals have been intercepted by South Africa’s (SA) Border Management Authority (BMA) near Hromla’s Bridge in Limpopo province, as officials intensify security operations ahead of the festive season.
The interceptions took place along the N11 route close to the Botswana border, an area authorities describe as increasingly targeted by people attempting to cross borders illegally. According to the BMA, heightened patrols are under way at ports of entry and identified vulnerable points along SA’s borders.
BMA Commissioner Dr Mike Masiapato says the festive season operation, which began earlier this month, is yielding positive results. He explained that many of those intercepted had shifted routes after realising that controls along the northern border with Zimbabwe had been tightened.
The authority says it is closely monitoring changing movement patterns and responding by deploying a mix of technology, intelligence-led operations and ground personnel. Officials believe this integrated approach is critical to securing SA’s 4,470-kilometre border, particularly during the busy holiday period.
The BMA has reiterated that enforcement operations will continue throughout the festive season to curb illegal crossings and ensure safe, orderly movement across the country’s borders.
–ChannelAfrica–
