SA Army Stops 2 800 Undocumented Migrants In December As Border Crime Surges

South Africa’s borders were busier than usual this past December as the SA Army found itself on the frontline of one of the country’s most persistent challenges. Soldiers working under Operation Corona stopped 2 733 undocumented migrants from entering the country during the festive season, highlighting just how strained and porous some of the borderlines remain.

A December dominated by Zimbabwean crossings

Most of the crossings took place along the Limpopo River, where the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe stretches roughly 230 kilometres. Soldiers intercepted 2 422 Zimbabweans attempting to enter the country without documents, a number that locals in Musina say reflects the ongoing economic hardships north of the border.

Basotho nationals made up the second largest group of interceptions at 199, while smaller numbers were reported from Mozambique, Botswana and Eswatini.

Contraband and cash losses at the border

Illegal crossings were only part of the story. Soldiers seized R7.45 million worth of contraband in December, most of it near the Beitbridge route. The bulk came from Zimbabwean smugglers transporting cigarettes, dagga, liquor, clothing, footwear and even pharmaceuticals.

In Mpumalanga, Mozambican travellers accounted for R1.9 million in confiscated goods. Limpopo alone saw R5.2 million worth of items removed from illegal circulation.

Beyond goods, the army also stopped vehicles worth R3.2 million from leaving South Africa unlawfully and detained 22 suspects wanted by police.

Livestock and drug busts add to the pressure

Border crime is often linked to rural economies on both sides. Soldiers impounded livestock grazing illegally on South African farms along the Lesotho border. The animals included goats, sheep and cattle believed to be part of cross-border stock theft networks, with the cattle alone valued at more than R2.7 million.

Drugs worth R4 million were also confiscated, with Limpopo once again emerging as a hotspot, followed by KwaZulu-Natal.

Explosives linked to illegal mining and heists

As the calendar flipped to January, the army made two alarming discoveries near Beitbridge. On 2 January, three people abandoned bags stuffed with Superpower 90 explosives worth more than R80 000. A week later, two men dropped bags containing blasting cartridges, detonator cables and fuses valued at R131 450.

Security analysts say these explosives are often used in illegal mining, ATM bombings and cash-in-transit attacks that continue to trouble South African communities.

A tragic loss on Christmas Day

Not every story from the border was about arrests or seizures. On Christmas Day, two Military Police officers died during a routine patrol near the Mozambique border when their vehicle was swept away by a flooded river. The incident cast a sombre shadow over the festive operations and highlighted the dangerous conditions soldiers work under.

The bigger picture

The December numbers paint a familiar yet urgent picture. South Africa’s border security challenges remain deeply tied to regional poverty, organised crime and the country’s role as an economic hub. While soldiers continue to intercept migrants and contraband, many South Africans feel the pressures of porous borders in everyday life, from crime to strained public services.

Still, for the SANDF, December’s operations show ongoing commitment to securing the nation’s borders, even under immense pressure. With the new year under way, communities near border towns will be watching closely to see whether these efforts lead to longer term stability.

{Source:The South African}

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