The Border Management Authority SA

MEDIA STATEMENT| BMA VEHICLE TRACKING AND INSPECTION METHODS BEAR FRUIT AS RENTAL VEHICLES WORTH MILLIONS ARE RECOVERED IN KOSI BAY Two high valued vehicles have been intercepted while being smuggled through Kosi Bay Port of Entry. The Commissioner of the BMA, Dr Michael Masiapato has confirmed that strengthened border surveillance, intelligence-led operations and collaboration with the private sector are yielding positive results, following this interception of two suspected fraudulently obtained rental vehicles attempted to being smuggled across the Kosi Bay border into Mozambique. The operation, which took place on Thursday, 29 October 2026, demonstrates the importance of effective vigilance on vehicle tracking and cooperation between the BMA and vehicle rental companies in preventing the illegal movement of vehicles across South Africa’s borders. At approximately 12h30, BMA Border Guards conducting operations at Kosi Bay identified a white 2025 Ford Ranger double cab, bearing the Mpumalanga registration number, driven by a 75-year-old South African male who intended to cross into Mozambique. An inspection and subsequent interview with the driver raised suspicions that the vehicle, which belonged to a vehicle rental company, was being unlawfully taken across the border. The rental company was contacted and confirmed that it had not issued the required cross-border authorisation letter or the relevant Registration Certificate for the vehicle. The company further indicated that, according to its tracking records, the vehicle was stationary in Johannesburg. Upon activating its Cartrack system to verify the vehicle’s location, the company discovered that the tracking unit had been removed. During the operation, Border Guards identified another Ford Ranger, which had reportedly been flagged by the rental company as another one of their vehicles that were fraudulently rented out. The BMA Border Guard immediately alerted the Senior Commandant after which they proceeded to engage their Mozambican counterparts. Following cooperation with Mozambican officials, the vehicle and its driver, a white male, were intercepted for further investigation. During questioning, the driver alleged that he had borrowed the vehicle from a friend residing in Pretoria. A scrutiny of the vehicle documentation established that the cross-border authorisation letters and RC1 documents presented in respect of the vehicles were allegedly not authentic. The car rental company was requested to provide copies of its genuine cross-border letters and registration documents to assist with verification. The two suspects were subsequently arrested and face charges relating to possession of suspected stolen property in terms of Section 36, forgery, fraud and uttering. Both suspects are expected to make their first court appearance on Friday, 30 October 2026. Commenting on the operation, Dr Masiapato said: “The successful interception of these vehicles demonstrates the value of intelligence-led border management and the importance of collaboration between the BMA and private-sector partners. The BMA has intensified its efforts to identifying suspicious movements and continue to prevent vehicles obtained through alleged fraudulent means from being taken across our borders. Through the vigilance of our Border Guards and timely information-sharing with the rental company, we were able to intervene and prevent the further movement of these vehicles into another country. “We commend our officials for their alertness and professionalism, as well as the cooperation demonstrated by the rental company and our Mozambican counterparts. This operation sends a clear message that the BMA will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to close opportunities for cross-border vehicle smuggling, fraud and other forms of organised criminal activity. Such interventions also help protect businesses from potentially substantial financial losses.” Photos supplied by the BMA.

BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato is leading the organisation’s Quarter 2 of the 2026/27 Financial Year performance review in Pretoria today. BMA management is currently engaged in the organisation’s overall performance evaluation to enable the organisation to have a firm grasp of where of where challenges are and what needs to be done to ensure Annual Operational Plan and Annual Performance Plane objectives are achieved.

Good morning South Africa 🇿🇦 We have few vacancies open. Visit bma.gov.za and select e-Recruitment to view available opportunities and apply. #SecureBordersforDevelopment

The Border Management Authority Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato giving a keynote address during the Inaugural Dynamics of Migration Seminar at the Kgorong Building in Unisa.

MEDIA STATEMENT| BMA WELCOMES FUNDING SUPPORT ANNOUNCED BY MINISTER OF FINANCE TO STRENGTHEN BORDER MANAGEMENT CAPACITY The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, in the 2026/27 Adjustments Budget and Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, that funding will be provided to capacitate the Authority. The announcement represents an important step towards strengthening the operational capacity of the BMA and supporting its mandate to secure South Africa’s borders. The Minister’s announcement recognises the importance of building state capability and strengthening frontline institutions responsible for safeguarding national security, facilitating legitimate trade and travel, and addressing challenges associated with illegal migration. The capacitation of the BMA is essential to ensuring that the Authority is adequately equipped to respond to the growing demands of integrated border law enforcement. The BMA also expressed its appreciation to the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, for his continued advocacy for additional resources to strengthen the Authority’s capacity. This announcement marks an important step towards realising these efforts and ensuring that the BMA is better equipped to fulfil its mandate. Commissioner Dr Masiapato welcomed the announcement, describing it as a positive development in the government’s efforts to strengthen border management. “We welcome the support announced by the Minister of Finance towards the capacitation of the Border Management Authority. This is an important recognition of the strategic role that the BMA plays in safeguarding our country’s borders, protecting national security and facilitating legitimate movement across our ports of entry. “Strengthening the Authority’s capacity is fundamental to building an effective, integrated and intelligence-led border management system. As the BMA continues to implement its mandate, adequate resources are critical to enhancing our operational capabilities and responding to the demands placed on our ports of entry and border law enforcement environment,” said Commissioner Masiapato. ENQUIRIES: Mmemme Mogotsi Deputy Assistant Commissioner: Communications and Marketing Cell: 072 856 4288 Email: [email protected] Operation HI-TIVISE Report illegal activities by calling 0801 229 019. “If you see something, say something.” Illegal activities can also be reported online through the BMA website bma.gov.za MEDIA STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE BORDER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY 22 October 2026

MEDIA INVITATION| SOUTH AFRICA AND LESOTHO TO STRENGTHEN BILATERAL COOPERATION ON BORDER MANAGEMENT The Border Management Authority (BMA), led by Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato, together with Mr Beyers Theron, Director of Customs Border Operations, Ports of Entry and Customs Compliance at the South African Revenue Service (SARS), will participate in the Lesotho–South Africa Steering Committee (STEERCO) Meeting as Chairs from South Africa, taking place on Thursday, 22 October 2026, in Ladybrand, Free State. The meeting forms part of the World Bank–Southern Africa Regional Trade Facilitation Programme (SARTFP) Technical Joint Working Group and Steering Committee engagements aimed at strengthening border management and trade facilitation in the region. It follows previous engagements held this year in Oshoek in August 2026, involving South Africa and Eswatini, and Komatipoort in September 2026, involving South Africa and Mozambique. These engagements focused on trade facilitation, border reform and the implementation of joint action plans to improve border efficiency and facilitate the movement of people and goods across the region. The upcoming meeting in Ladybrand will provide South Africa and Lesotho with an opportunity to advance bilateral discussions on shared border-management priorities and strengthen cooperation towards more secure, efficient and integrated border operations. Key areas of discussion will include progress on the joint action plan, smart-border initiatives, One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) arrangements at Maseru and Ficksburg, border infrastructure and the Border Operating Model. Other agenda items include risk management, traveller processing, enabling legislation and the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) pilot. The discussions will contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination between the two countries, improve border operations and support regional trade and economic development. Members of the media are invited to cover the outcomes of the Steering Committee discussions. DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS: Date: Thursday, 22 October 2026 Time: 09:00 Venue: My Housy Guesthouse, Ladybrand, Free State MEDIA RSVP: Dimakatso Mokwena Email: [email protected] BMA Enquiries: Mmemme Mogotsi BMA Spokesperson Email: [email protected] | Cell: 072 856 4288 SARS Enquiries: Mr Siphithi Sibeko SARS Spokesperson Email: [email protected] | Cell: 072 381 5139 OPERATION HI-TIVISE Report illegal activities by calling 0801 229 019. “If you see something, say something.” Illegal activities can also be reported online through the BMA website: bma.gov.za ISSUED BY THE BORDER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE DATE: 21 OCTOBER 2026

PUBLIC NOTICE: BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! The Border Management Authority (BMA) warns service providers about fraudulent requests for quotations (RFQs) and orders allegedly using the organisation’s name, logo and details. Service providers are urged to verify the authenticity of all RFQs and orders before responding to avoid falling victim to fraud. #ScamAlert