Despite mass deportations and repatriations of foreign nationals in South Africa between April and July, thousands still tried to enter the country illegally.

The Border Management Authority’s Dr Michael Masiapato said teams managed to intercept more than 4,229 individuals trying to enter the country illegally.

He told Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on Tuesday that the majority of individuals came from Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Mozambique.

“As we have been doing all of this work as well as all of the repatriation been unfolding, there have still been individuals that has been attempting to enter the country illegally. And that is why we are just indicating that we’ve been able to intercept over 4,229 individuals that did not have documents that were once again attempting to enter the country illegally, and the majority of these being intercepted in our north corridor with Zimbabwe and then followed by Lesotho and also with Mozambique,” said Masiapato.

Masiapato has, however, noted that the BMA was able to implement more than 300 joint operations to manage the thoroughfare at the borders.

He also noted that up until 7 August, 89,936 foreign nationals had been repatriated, most of whom are from Malawi.

This comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to launch the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which is a digital system using biometrics and facial recognition to monitor those entering the country.  The digital immigration system is being launched at the OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday. 

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced plans related to the ETA earlier this year.

[WATCH] “For the very first time, SA now has the capability to digitally verify the identity and biometrics of foreign nationals before they enter the country.” Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says they are working on rolling out systems to secure borders. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/qArImNOIX7

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 29, 2026