The Border Management Authority (BMA) successfully prevented 6 253 individuals, at various points across the country, from illegally entering South Africa during the Easter holidays, from April 15 to 24.

This is over 2.4k more than the same period in 2024. The BMA’s 63% success rate increase was driven by a digital transformation process that is now in full swing.

The authority used newly-acquired advanced body cameras, high-tech night-vision drones – equipped with Artificial Intelligence – and other equipment to improve surveillance and enforcement.

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Every year over the Easter period, the BMA intensifies its operations, due to this being a peak period for the movement of people and goods through South Africa’s ports.

The minister of home affairs, Leon Schreiber, commended the BMA’s success.

“While we are still early in the reform process, the digital transformation of border management is clearly yielding meaningful progress. The success of Easter operations to clamp down on illegal immigration follows on similar improvements over the 2024/25 festive season, indicating sustained improvement in the efficiency of border management,” Schreiber said.

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He added that the country is on a new trajectory towards secure and efficient border management and is looking forward to building on this momentum as more reforms are intensified.