South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) has reported a worrying increase in undocumented and unaccompanied minors crossing the country’s borders during the 2025/2026 festive season.
Officials say the rise highlights urgent child protection and border security concerns.
BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato confirmed that the agency intercepted a significant number of children attempting to enter or leave South Africa without proper documentation.
Some of the minors were incredibly young, including toddlers and infants.
Distressing Cases at Key Ports of Entry
At the Beitbridge Port of Entry, officers intercepted 53 unaccompanied minors, including children as young as three.
One particularly alarming incident involved an 11-month-old baby left abandoned at the border on 13 December 2025.
Meanwhile, at Lebombo Port, 15 children were caught in mountainous areas trying to cross the border illegally.
“These cases are heartbreaking and highlight the vulnerabilities of children in these situations,” Masiapato said, stressing that each minor was handed over to the Department of Social Development for safe placement in accordance with child protection laws.
Smuggling and Cross-Border Child Protection
Some cases involved criminal activity, including an attempt by a Mozambican national to smuggle a South African child into Mozambique.
The child had been reported missing in Johannesburg.
The suspect was arrested and transferred to the South African Police Service for prosecution.
To tackle such issues, the BMA, in collaboration with the Department of Social Development, held urgent meetings with Zimbabwean authorities to improve screening processes and raise awareness among parents about the risks of child smuggling.
Strengthening Health and Biosecurity Measures
Beyond child protection, the BMA also reported progress in biosecurity and health screenings during the festive season.
Officials examined nearly 370,000 pieces of luggage, confiscating unauthorized items including meat, dairy, fruit, plants, seeds, and spices.
Additionally, over 1.36 million travelers were screened for health risks, including Yellow Fever, malaria, and other infectious diseases.
Fraudulent travel and health documents were also detected.
Several sick travelers received immediate medical attention, and prohibited or harmful products were destroyed to prevent environmental and public health risks.
Heightened Measures Amid Festive Travel Surge
Masiapato emphasized that the increased border scrutiny was necessary due to the high volume of travelers during the holiday season, as well as ongoing global health risks.
Authorities say such vigilance is crucial to keeping both people and ecosystems safe.
The recent statistics serve as a reminder of the challenges facing South Africa’s borders and the importance of ongoing vigilance in child protection, health, and biosecurity.
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