BMA rejects claims that Eswatini deportees are entering South Africa illegally

What the authorities say

The BMA’s response follows announcements from Eswatini about the voluntary departures of three third-country nationals who had been in the kingdom under a bilateral arrangement with the United States. The South African authority specifically rejected allegations that those deportees were slipping back into South Africa via unofficial points along the border.

The BMA said it is supported by other law enforcement agencies and that it “maintains a presence across the country’s Ports of Entry and continues to conduct border surveillance and enforcement operations to prevent and detect unlawful entry, including the smuggling and trafficking of persons.”

“The BMA dismisses claims that deportees are entering South Africa through informal border crossings.”

Details on the departures in Eswatini

Eswatini’s government confirmed that three nationals from Yemen, Belize and Laos left the kingdom voluntarily at different times between 8 September and 4 October.

• Yemeni national: departed on 8 September after requesting to return to his country.
• Belizean national: departed on 30 September after requesting to return home.
• Laotian national: departed on 4 October after requesting voluntary repatriation.

Eswatini Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli characterised these movements as part of broader arrangements for third-country nationals temporarily residing in the kingdom:

“These departures form part of the ongoing arrangements concerning Third Country Nationals temporarily residing in the Kingdom.”

The Eswatini government said it had engaged relevant authorities and partners to facilitate the voluntary repatriation requests and “thanked countries and authorities that assisted with the nationals’ journeys home.” It also said it remained “committed to protecting the rights, dignity and well-being of the third-country nationals while safeguarding the security and interests of the kingdom and its people.”

How the BMA explains transit and border control

The BMA reiterated that South Africa’s designated entry and exit points have access control measures in place. It also clarified the status of people moving through South African airports on international transfers, stressing that such travellers do not “enter the Republic” while in transit.

“It is imperative to understand that any person who is in transit through South African Airports go through international transfers without entering the Republic.”

The authority also warned that attempts to bypass formal entry points would be detected:

“Therefore, any attempt to circumvent formal Ports of Entry is subject to detection and enforcement action.”

What this means in practice

On the facts reported by the two governments, the BMA’s position is that South Africa’s formal crossings along the Eswatini border were monitored and protected and that the three third-country nationals left Eswatini voluntarily. The statements from both Eswatini and the BMA address different aspects of the same set of movements: Eswatini outlining repatriation outcomes and the BMA addressing concerns about unlawful re-entry into South Africa.

General public interest in such cases commonly centres on border integrity, the prevention of smuggling and trafficking, and the humane treatment of migrants. In this instance, both governments emphasised orderly processes: Eswatini spoke of facilitated voluntary repatriation and protection of rights, while the BMA highlighted surveillance and enforcement at Ports of Entry.

Why official clarification matters

When reports circulate that individuals may have entered a country through informal crossings, official statements serve two main purposes: they update the public on the operational measures in place and they set expectations about enforcement. The BMA’s statement addresses both concerns by restating that monitored entry points are active and by warning that any circumvention of those points “is subject to detection and enforcement action.”

Takeaways

Key points from official statements:

• The BMA rejects claims of unlawful re-entry into South Africa from Eswatini via informal crossings.
• Eswatini confirmed three third-country nationals from Yemen, Belize and Laos voluntarily left the kingdom between 8 September and 4 October.
• Both statements emphasise managed processes: Eswatini on voluntary repatriation and welfare; the BMA on secured Ports of Entry and continued surveillance and enforcement.

The situation, as reported by the two authorities, remains a matter of official record: Eswatini’s account of voluntary departures and the BMA’s rejection of claims about informal crossings. Where concerns persist, official agencies typically continue operations and communications to clarify facts and address potential security or humanitarian issues.