The Border Management Authority (BMA) has officially launched its Easter festive season operational plan, aimed at ensuring the efficient, secure and seamless movement of people and goods across South Africa’s 71 ports of entry.

The plan, which came into effect on Tuesday and will run until Thursday, 9 April, is expected to manage a sharp increase in travel volumes over the holiday period.

According to BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato, passenger numbers are expected to peak in the coming days, with departures reaching their highest levels on Thursday and arrivals surging on Easter Monday.

Masiapato warned that traveller volumes could exceed 25,000 people per day at the busiest ports of entry during peak periods.

According to the BMA, the operational strategy is structured into four phases, which include planning, execution, demobilisation and sustenance.

The planning phase began earlier this year, following the festive season, and focused on strengthening partnerships to address resource constraints. This included support from provincial governments, with approximately 50 officials deployed to assist as immigration officers at Cape Town International Airport and 80 officers assigned to OR Tambo International Airport.

On immigration, Masiapatho says the BMA will intensify the detection and proper processing of undocumented travellers, strengthen access control and enforce strict compliance with immigration requirements.

“All travellers must present valid machine-readable passports with at least two blank pages and comply with visa conditions. Parents travelling with minors must present required documentation.”

Special priority measures will also be in place for vulnerable groups, including elderly travellers, persons with disabilities and adults travelling with children, to ensure smoother transit during the busy Easter period.

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