The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) reported a sharp decrease in illegal border crossings during April, marking it as a relatively “quiet” month in comparison to March, according to figures released by the military’s Joint Operations Division.
Troops deployed to protect the country’s land borders intercepted 702 undocumented immigrants during April—less than a third of the 2,700-plus detained the previous month. The majority of individuals apprehended were Zimbabwean nationals, totaling 484. Additionally, 126 Basotho nationals were intercepted while attempting to cross illegally into the Free State province from Lesotho.
Smaller numbers were recorded at other border posts, with 70 illegal crossings prevented on the Mozambique-Mpumalanga border, 18 on the Botswana-North West border, and four along the KwaZulu-Natal border shared with Eswatini and Mozambique.
In addition to human trafficking prevention, SANDF patrols also seized a range of contraband and stolen property. Goods valued at over R3.6 million—typically comprising illicit cigarettes, liquor, pharmaceuticals, and counterfeit branded apparel—were confiscated from smugglers. The lion’s share of this contraband, worth more than R2.9 million, was intercepted on the Mozambique-Mpumalanga border, which also saw drug seizures totaling R509,628. A further R494,280 in goods was recovered along the Mozambique/Eswatini border in KwaZulu-Natal.
Efforts to stem vehicle smuggling also yielded significant results, with SANDF troops recovering stolen vehicles valued at R3.1 million. These were believed to be en route to neighboring countries including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini.
As part of routine border security operations, soldiers also impounded livestock found grazing illegally on South African land. Animals—mainly cattle, goats, and sheep—worth more than R1.1 million were recovered from areas near the Lesotho border, while additional livestock valued at R30,000 was seized from Swazi and Mozambican herders. According to SANDF protocols, owners are fined before animals are returned, though the military has not disclosed the amount of the fines.
The SANDF continues its border protection duties under Operation Corona, aimed at curbing illegal immigration, smuggling, and cross-border crime, while supplementing the efforts of police and Home Affairs officials.