Border Crackdown: 40,000 illegal immigrants arrested since 2026

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More than 40,000 illegal foreign nationals have been apprehended, with over 7,400 arrests occurring just in the last month.

This surge in arrests reflects the government’s increased commitment to combat illegal immigration and enhance border security measures.

The figures were revealed during a media briefing by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration, which was constituted by President Cyril Ramaphosa to coordinate the government’s work on the issue of migration in South Africa and to oversee the implementation of the various interventions, as outlined during President Ramaphosa’s address to the nation last Sunday.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee is led by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, and constituted by various departments, including Home Affairs, Small Business Development, Defence, International Relations and Cooperation, Employment and Labour, Basic Education, and Higher Education and Training, as well as the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The Departments of Transport, department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), and Social Development have since been requested to be added.

The challenge of illegal immigration

The Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management, presented by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his nationwide address on Sunday, 7 June, revealed the government’s ability to handle illegal immigration where it takes place. 

Addressing the media on Sunday, Kubayi said a lot of work has been done in implementing the various interventions that the president announced in his address.

The president outlined the government’s five-point strategy to manage irregular migration, which includes strengthening border security, reiterating the constitutional principle of the rule of law, stamping out corruption in the immigration system, cracking down on violence and lawlessness and refining our legislative framework.

This plan and approach also entail collaboration with fellow African nations to forge a broader, more cohesive response to migration challenges across our region and the continent.

Highlighting some of the interventions, Kubayi said the Border Management Authority (BMA) has deployed advanced technologies, including drones and body-worn cameras, and established additional checkpoints along key transport routes leading to major border crossings.

“The BMA and its stakeholders have, on Wednesday, the 10th of June, 2026, held an anti-corruption awareness campaign at the Oshoek port of entry, the RSA-eSwatini border, to proactively address issues of corruption within the ports.

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“In addition, the BMA and other law enforcement agencies have instituted static checkpoints or roadblocks at key corridors leading to the critical ports, such as Beitbridge, to ensure effective interception of anybody attempting to enter South Africa illegally.

“Currently, there is heightened vigilance across all ports of entry in all three modalities of land, air and sea.

“This was demonstrated by the recent interception of nine Bangladeshi nationals at OR Tambo International Airport who attempted to enter South Africa with fraudulent visas.

“The interception of ABBA, a precursor for Mandrax with the street value of just below one billion rand at Beitbridge, is another case in point,” Kubayi said.

Article sourced: SAgovNews