South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Michael Masiapato has announced that the authority is intensifying its operations to intercept the smuggling of illicit goods during the festive season.
Masiapato unveiled the BMA’s 2025/2026 festive season operational plan during a media briefing on Sunday. It aims to streamline cross-border freight movements amid anticipated high volumes and focuses on the period December 10, 2025 to January 15, 2026 with the aim of enhancing border control to mitigate delays for logistics operators.
This comes as the country continues to grapple with increasingly sophisticated cross-border criminal activities including the smuggling of illicit goods.
“South Africa continues to confront a range of complex border-related challenges, including illegal migration, increasingly sophisticated cross-border criminal activities, as well as the smuggling of illicit goods,” said BMA Commissioner, Michael Masiapato.
“These challenges place a significant strain on our already limited resources, hinder economic growth, and undermine efforts toward deeper regional economic integration,” he said.
However, Masiapato added that the BMA had managed to beef up its presence at several seaports.
"During this quarter, the BMA, in partnership with Transnet National Ports Authority, has secured operational space for the permanent deployment of coastal guards at the ports of Mossel Bay, Ngqura, Richards Bay and East London. This is a critical development towards establishing BMA’s full-time presence in these critical seaports.”
Masiapato said during the second quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year (July to September 2025), the BMA had intercepted 15 high-powered suspected stolen vehicles at various ports, and handed them over to Saps. This adds to an incremental total of 349 vehicles intercepted since July 2022.
Counterfeit clothing and footwear worth R1.28 million were also seized, contributing to a cumulative value of R220m. Illicit cigarettes valued at R827 500 were confiscated, alongside drugs like crystal meth and heroin.
Masiapato announced the extension of the authority’s operating hours at non-24/7 ports. This follows discussions with neighbouring countries to streamline border processes and coordinate work during the period. Details include:
• Botswana: Groblersbrug from 6am–10pm to 6am–midnight (Dec 19-24); Swartkopfontein from 7am–7pm to 6am–8pm (Dec 22-24, Dec 30-31).
• Mozambique: Kosibay from 8am–5pm to 6am–8pm (Dec 15–Jan 15).
• eSwatini: Mahamba from 7am–10pm to 7am–midnight (Dec 23-24 ); Jeppes Reef from 7am–8pm to 7am–10pm (Dec 22-24); Mananga from 7am–6pm to 7am–8pm (Dec 22-24).
• Lesotho: Sanipass from 6am–6pm to 6am–8pm (Dec 21-24); Caledonspoort from 6am–10pm to 6am–midnight (Dec 23, Jan 4) and 24 hours (Dec 24); Van Rooyensgate similar extensions; Monontsa Pass and Pekabridge from 8am–4pm to 4pm–6pm on specific dates (Dec 13, 20, 23-24; Jan 2-5, 2026).
These changes are expected to reduce truck queues, particularly at high-traffic ports like Beitbridge, Lebombo, and Oshoek, through which over 75% of travellers pass.
Partnerships with the South African Association of Freight Forwarders, Association of Meat Importers and Exporters, and South African Association of Ship Operators and Agents will fund operations via a cost recovery model. The SA National Roads Agency will improve traffic flow management and reduce congestion risks at Lebombo port of entry.
For agricultural and environmental freight, Masiapato said strict biosecurity rules applied as usual.
"Importers and exporters are required to present both an import permit issued by the Department of Agriculture and a phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin, fully complying with the South African import conditions," he said.
Non-compliance could lead to confiscations, impacting supply chains.
"During this phase, we will be intensifying our measures to detect and seize narcotics, illicit goods, and even stolen vehicles. We therefore want to warn all travellers to desist from committing any act of criminality around the ports or even in the border law enforcement areas as they will be detected and arrested,” Masiapato said.
"We assure the public, our stakeholders, and our international partners that the BMA is fully prepared, fully mobilised, and fully committed to delivering a seamless 2025/26 festive season operation."
