The Border Management Authority says thousands of undocumented foreign nationals have attempted to enter South Africa despite recent large-scale repatriations and deportations.
BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato told Parliament’s Home Affairs Committee that 4,229 people were intercepted between 1 April and 31 July 2026.
The attempted crossings were recorded along borders with Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Mozambique.
The BMA said the interceptions show that preventing people from returning after deportation remains a major challenge.
Around 90,000 undocumented foreign nationals have exited South Africa over the past three months, according to figures presented by the authority.
Facilitators targeted at borders
The BMA has also stepped up operations against people accused of helping undocumented migrants cross into South Africa.
Masiapato said targeting these facilitators had contributed to about 10,000 additional deportations.
Authorities are also strengthening security along other vulnerable sections of the border, including areas in the Northern Cape.
The tighter controls follow concerns that weaknesses along South Africa’s land borders allow people who have already been processed for deportation to return.
More than 12,000 refused entry
Masiapato said border officials were applying stricter entry requirements to travellers arriving on visitor visas.
Visitors may be required to provide a residential address, proof that they can fund their stay and a clear reason for entering South Africa.
Those who cannot satisfy immigration officials can be refused entry.
More than 12,000 people were denied entry over a three-month period, according to the BMA.
The authority also said more than 5,000 foreign nationals who overstayed their visas had been declared undesirable.
Border pressure continues
South Africa’s recent migration operations have placed renewed pressure on authorities to prevent a cycle of repeated deportation and illegal re-entry.
Parliament’s Home Affairs Committee has previously warned that weak border security risks creating a “revolving door” in which people are repeatedly removed and return.
Masiapato said the BMA would continue tightening controls at ports of entry and vulnerable border areas.
The latest figures show that large-scale deportations alone have not stopped attempts to enter South Africa without valid documents.