The driver of a minibus taxi was arrested as he was attempting to smuggle fourteen undocumented children, the youngest a four-year-old, into South Africa through the Lebombo Border Post.

According to the Border Management Authority’s (BMA) deputy assistant commissioner, Mmemme Mogotsi, some BMA border guards intercepted a minibus taxi on Friday, December 6, the driver of which was attempting to smuggle these children from Mozambique, aged between four and 16, into South Africa.

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“The driver was immediately arrested and charged with aiding and abetting illegal entry in accordance with the Immigration Act . The rescued children were handed over to the Department of Social Development for care and support. The BMA continues to intensify its efforts to safeguard South Africa’s ports of entry and ensure the protection of vulnerable individuals,” Mogotsi said.

Meanwhile, the BMA’s commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, said: “These incidents highlight the critical role our border guards play in safeguarding vulnerable individuals and preventing the exploitation of our borders by criminal syndicates. The Border Management Authority remains steadfast in its mission to combat illegal activities and protect the sovereignty of South Africa. We are now in the festive period and our deployments have been intensified to intercept and deal with criminality in the border environment.”

He added that as the country is commemorating 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, the BMA has expressed its commitment to ensuring that the ports of entry are not exploited for any form of criminal activities, including human smuggling that targets any of the vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.

He said the BMA reiterated its call to all citizens and stakeholders to report any suspicious activities at or near ports of entry, and that community vigilance and co-operation are vital in the fight against border-related crimes.