The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) intercepted over 1000 undocumented foreign nationals attempting to gain entry into South Africa through the Groblersbridge Border Post, outside Lephalale in Limpopo.
The crowd which included women and children were arrested a day after Christmas.
SANDF spokesperson Captain Moses Semono said the unit faces a dilemma that is specific to this time of year, specifically during Christmas Eve and the Day of Goodwill.
“Soldiers intercepted and arrested 1,174 undocumented persons from Zimbabwe attempting to enter South Africa through illegal border crossings. This marks the first time our members have had to manage such a massive influx during this period of the festive season,” said Semono.
Semono said during the operation, they encountered an aggressive man who stabbed one of the soldiers on the arm.
“However, due to the high standard of training provided by the defence force, the soldier was able to thwart the danger and neutralise the threat without resorting to deadly force. Defence intelligence services have taken over the matter for further processing,” said Semono.
He added that the injured soldier received immediate treatment from medics who were on standby.
Meanwhile, the undocumented nationals were handed over to the South African Immigration Services.
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Early this month, the South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) intercepted and destroyed 5,000 units of illicit birth control pills, 117 medical test kits, and various skin-lightening creams.
In a media briefing in Pretoria, BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato announced that 8,000 people were arrested in the second quarter of the 2025-2026 financial year for attempting to enter the country illegally.
He said the majority were Basotho nationals, followed by Mozambicans and Zimbabweans.
Masiapato said the briefing was “held at a critical time when the nation is currently observing the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.
“Therefore, as the BMA, we reaffirm our commitment to ensure the protection and seamless facilitation of the movement of women and all the vulnerable groups as and when they present themselves across any of our 71 ports of entry,” he said at the time.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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