Latest news with #BorderManagementAuthority
The South African
28-05-2025
- The South African
Zim truck driver nabbed at SA border with illegal skin cream cargo
Border Management Authority officers thwarted a cross-border smuggling attempt and intercepted a truck driver at the Kopfontein Border Post this past weekend. This led to the arrest of a 43-year-old Zimbabwean national. The authorities found Tiritese Chimbwanda with nearly 45 000 packets of banned Epiderm Cream. Chimbwanda, who was driving a truck from Botswana, reportedly told border officials he had no goods to declare. However, according to the police, during a routine search on 25 May, Border Management Authority officers uncovered the concealed packets hidden beneath the trailer. 'The officials conducted a search and allegedly found 44 941 packets of Epiderm Cream hidden underneath the trailer,' said Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula. 'The Medical Control Council released a report that declared this product undesirable.' The truck driver appeared in the Zeerust Magistrates' Court on 27 May, charged with violating the Medicines and Related Substances Act of 1965. The imported Epiderm Cream makes it illegal in the country. The case has been postponed to 3 June for a formal bail application. Authorities have vowed to intensify checks at all entry points to stem the flow of unregulated medical products. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Home Affairs unveils 'Operation New Broom' to combat illegal immigration
The Department of Home Affairs has launched 'Operation New Broom' to tackle illegal immigration. Image: Independent Newspaper Archives In a bid to intensify efforts against illegal immigration, Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber on Thursday launched Operation New Broom, a nationwide technology-driven initiative aimed at arresting, convicting and deporting undocumented immigrants occupying public spaces. The department said during the first sweep of the operation, 25 undocumented individuals were arrested while occupying land illegally. 'As with everything else we do, Operation New Broom is guided by our commitment to the rule of law,' said Minister Schreiber at the launch. 'It is this commitment that both motivates us to do more to combat illegality and to uphold due process and legal compliance in the process.' He said the operation will be rolled out in urban areas across the country. It focuses on the use of biometric verification technology to detect fraudulent documentation and confirm the immigration status of suspects. Officials say this innovation will help build stronger legal cases and enhance the efficiency of deportation processes. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Home Affairs officials involved in the operation explained that biometric checks, including fingerprint and facial recognition scans, will be used on-site during raids. This aims to reduce reliance on paper-based documentation, which is often forged or tampered with by individuals seeking to evade immigration laws. The Minister noted that Operation New Broom is part of a broader digital transformation within the Department of Home Affairs and its associated entities, such as the Border Management Authority. 'The benefits of our commitment to digital transformation are being felt across all areas of Home Affairs' mandate, including through the strides made by the Border Management Authority at the borders and by Home Affairs inland,' he said. Schreiber also issued a stern warning to individuals residing in South Africa without legal documentation: 'Our message to anyone who is in the country illegally is clear: voluntarily deport yourself now, before we arrest and prohibit you from entering or obtaining legal status in South Africa in future.'
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Home Affairs launches Operation New Broom to tackle illegal immigration
Minister Leon Schreiber says illegal immigrants should deport themselves or risk being arrested and prohibited from entering the country in future. Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber has launched a new technology-driven initiative to arrest, convict and deport illegal immigrants occupying public spaces. Operation New Broom, launched on Wednesday, uses biometric technology to verify suspects' immigration status, eliminating the risk of fraudulent documents and building stronger legal cases. Ongoing nationwide campaign Schreiber said the first operation of what will be an ongoing nationwide campaign took place in District 6 in Cape Town. During the operation, 25 suspects were arrested for occupying land meant for restitution to the victims of forced removals. The initiative, Schreiber said, tackles an old issue with new energy and technology in urban areas across the country. 'As with everything else we do, Operation New Broom is guided by our commitment to the rule of law. 'It is this commitment that both motivates us to do more to combat illegality, and to uphold due process and legal compliance in the process,' Schreiber said. ALSO READ: Big changes coming for ID, passport applications and birth registrations – Home Affairs Deport yourself 'The benefits of our commitment to digital transformation are being felt across all areas of Home Affairs' mandate, including through the strides made by the Border Management Authority at the borders and by Home Affairs inland,' he added. Schreiber said through this initiative, the department is sending a clear message to anyone who is residing in South Africa illegally: 'Voluntarily deport yourself now, before we arrest and prohibit you from entering or obtaining legal status in South Africa in future.' New surveillance technology In April, the department unveiled the Border Management Authority's (BMA) new range of surveillance technology to enhance security. This included 40 body-worn cameras and a set of drones to monitor border operations. The cameras were deployed at BMA offices, OR Tambo International Airport, and the Ficksburg and Maseru border posts to allow control room observers to view live footage from the BMA officers. NOW READ: Home Affairs facial recognition technology ready for rollout – Who has access?
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- The Citizen
Border guards intercept cross-border criminal syndicate at Kosi Bay
A black Toyota Corolla attempting to cross into Mozambique was stolen in Durban North. The Border Management Authority (BMA) intercepted and recovered three high-value assets suspected of being linked to transnational crime syndicates attempting to smuggle them into neighbouring countries. BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato said the guards were stationed at the Kosi Bay port of entry when they made the bust. Recoveries 'While conducting search operations at the customs inspection area, BMA Border Guards uncovered a black Senke motorbike frame concealed inside a trailer. The frame matched details from a pending police case of a stolen motorbike in Mayville. 'The suspect, who was en route to Malawi, was also found in possession of seven mobile phones for which he could not provide proof of ownership. He was detained in accordance with the Immigration Act, and a case was opened at Emanguzi Police Station,' Masiapato said. Later in the day, the BMA Border Guards intercepted a white Toyota Hilux driven by a Mozambican man en route to Mozambique. ALSO READ: WATCH: BMA intercepts and detains over 6 000 people trying to enter or leave SA illegally Tampering Masiapato said the guard found that the VIN and engine numbers had been tampered with. A detailed check confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Lyttelton. 'On the same day of the 5th of May at 5pm a joint team led by five BMA Border Guards recovered a black Toyota Corolla Cross attempting to cross into Mozambique. The driver failed to provide credible documentation of the vehicle. 'The Border Guards discovered that the vehicle was operating under a false disc and had tampered VIN and engine numbers. It was later confirmed that the vehicle was stolen in Durban North. The suspect was charged and detained at Emanguzi Police Station,' Masiapato said. Warning Masiapato sent a stern warning to criminal syndicates, saying the recoveries demonstrate the effectiveness of the BMA's law enforcement operations. 'Criminals attempting to exploit our ports for illicit activities will be met with swift and decisive enforcement. The BMA is closing the space for cross-border crime, and our Border Guards will continue to act with vigilance, professionalism, and integrity.' Masiapato urged community members to report suspicious cross-border activities, as public cooperation is critical in curbing smuggling, vehicle theft, and undocumented movements across South Africa's borders. ALSO READ: Committee calls for more border resources after almost 60 000 illegal crossing attempts
TimesLIVE
07-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Border guards arrest cross-border smuggling suspects in Kosi Bay
Border Management Authority (BMA) guards stationed at the Kosi Bay port of entry intercepted and recovered three high-value assets suspected to be linked to transnational crime syndicates attempting to smuggle them into neighbouring countries. 'While conducting search operations at the customs inspection area, BMA border guards uncovered a black Senke motorbike frame concealed inside a trailer. The frame matched details from a pending police case in Mayville,' BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato said on Wednesday. The suspect, who was en route to Malawi, was also found in possession of seven mobile phones for which he could not provide proof of ownership. He was detained under the Immigration Act and a case was opened at Emanguzi police station. Later that day, BMA guards intercepted a white Toyota Hilux driven by a Mozambican man attempting to cross into Mozambique. Masiapato said the guards found that the VIN and engine numbers had been tampered with. A detailed check confirmed the vehicle was reported stolen in Lyttelton, he said.
