Bus companies ferrying illegal immigrants to lose permits
The border law enforcement says bus operators transporting illegal immigrants across the South African ports of entry could soon have their permits revoked by the Border Management Authority (BMA).
During a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, commissioner of the BMA, Dr Mike Masiapto said there is a rapid increase on the number of public transporters found to have been ferrying illegal immigrants over the 2023/24 festive period.
“We have met with representatives of at least 30 bus companies involved in transporting people in and out of the country to stop with this practice.
“They have committed to ensuring that valid passports would be required from all travellers when procuring cross-border tickets and for entering the bus on travel da,” he said.
As it stands, authority had imposed 98 administrative fines to various conveyancers, especially bus companies, amounting to R3 540 000 in value.
The authority had managed to collect R9.8 million in outstanding fines from 25 bus companies.
6 455 people were denied entry for appearing on Interpol’s Red List.
4 626 people were refused entry as they had invalid passports or fraudulent visas.
Meanwhile, 27005 people were deported while attempting to enter the country illegally.
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