Border officials arrested a man at the Beitbridge border post in Limpopo for helping undocumented migrants illegally enter South Africa for as little as R300.
Suspect Caught Smuggling Migrants at Musina Border
According to SowetanLIVE, the Border Management Authority (BMA) said on Monday, 21 April that officials used drone surveillance to track and arrest a man in Musina as he tried to exit a patrol zone with two undocumented individuals.
Authorities say the man was operating from a carport located approximately 500 metres from the port of entry. Officials intercepted him after spotting suspicious activity through drone footage.
Drone footage also revealed a second suspected facilitator, who fled the scene.
Officials saw him speak to a migrant before they exchanged money through a red gate, suggesting a coordinated smuggling operation.
BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato said operations have intensified to target such facilitators who charge migrants between R300 and R350 to guide them across the border illegally.
Illegal River Crossings Remain a Challenge
The arrest came as BMA officials monitored a makeshift boat carrying several people across the Limpopo River. Masiapato noted that smugglers commonly use this tactic at Beitbridge.
“We can’t act while they’re still on the Zimbabwean side or even entering the river, but once they’re on our side, that’s when we can act and arrest them,” he said.
Masiapato said that since Tuesday last week, officials have arrested and deported over 1 000 undocumented migrants.
“We’ve processed just about 89 000 people since Tuesday. “Now, from yesterday until today, we officially began the return leg.” he said.
Technology Enhances Border Security
Drone operator Thato Motloung said the aerial technology has been critical in monitoring movement across difficult terrain.
“The drone is the eyes in the sky. It picks up things the naked eye might miss. Like someone hiding under a truck or even in the river,” he said.
One such drone recently helped detect the body of a person who was killed by a crocodile in the Limpopo River.
Do you think drone surveillance is enough to stop illegal border crossings?
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