Cocaine valued at more than R200 million was seized at OR Tambo International Airport at the weekend in a joint operation involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), SARS Customs and the Border Management Authority (BMA).
The multidisciplinary enforcement team intercepted five luggage bags containing 216 blocks of cocaine weighing approximately 250kg.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the interception followed sustained enforcement activity at the airport, where 116 drug mules had been arrested over the past 24 months.
“These arrests highlight the continued efforts by law enforcement agencies to detect and prevent the transportation of illicit drugs through South Africa’s borders. The SAPS reiterates its commitment to working with SARS Customs, the BMA and other stakeholders to strengthen border security, disrupt organised criminal networks and ensure that those involved in the illicit drug trade are brought to justice,” Mathe said.
SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola commended frontline officers for their vigilance and professionalism. He said the operation highlighted efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks exploiting South Africa’s ports of entry.
The seizure comes amid renewed government attention to border enforcement capacity. In his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) last week, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana referred to funding for the BMA and measures under consideration to strengthen border and immigration enforcement.
“In addition to the allocations to the Border Management Authority this year, we are also increasing the number of labour inspectors. The government is also considering measures to strengthen the capacity of the border inspectorate and the immigration officers to address our challenges with illegal migration,” Godongwana said.
His remarks followed an additional R990 million committed to the BMA over the medium term in the February 2026 national budget. That funding was earmarked for building institutional capacity and filling 738 critical operational positions.
Godongwana did not specify in his MTBPS remarks an additional funding amount for the authority beyond the previously announced allocation.
BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato welcomed the minister’s support, highlighting the authority’s responsibilities for border security and facilitating legitimate movement through ports of entry.
“We welcome the support announced by the minister of finance towards the capacitation of the Border Management Authority. This is an important recognition of the strategic role that the BMA plays in safeguarding our country’s borders, protecting national security and facilitating legitimate movement across our ports of entry,” Masiapato said.
He said adequate funding was essential to strengthen the authority’s operational capabilities and develop an integrated, intelligence-led approach to border management.
“Strengthening the authority’s capacity is fundamental to building an effective, integrated and intelligence-led border management system. As the BMA continues to implement its mandate, adequate resources are critical to enhancing our operational capabilities and responding to the demands placed on our ports of entry and border law enforcement environment.”
