Border Management Authority Intercepts Suspected Trafficking Victims

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has successfully intervened in a suspected human trafficking operation at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park. This action is part of the BMA’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking, irregular migration, and transnational organised crime, particularly as the festive season approaches and travel activity increases.

Details of the Incidents

According to Acting BMA Commissioner Jane Thupana, immigration and border law enforcement teams intercepted a total of 30 individuals suspected to be trafficking victims at the airport. The group consisted of 14 Ethiopian and 16 Bangladeshi nationals.

• In the first incident, 14 Ethiopian nationals—nine males and five females—were intercepted upon arrival on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
• In a separate incident, 16 Bangladeshi males were stopped after BMA officials discovered they were travelling with fraudulent visas.

BMA’s Continued Efforts

BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi emphasised that these interventions are part of the Authority’s intensified operations to address the rise in human trafficking and related criminal activities, particularly during peak travel seasons. The BMA remains committed to safeguarding the country’s borders and preventing transnational crimes such as human trafficking.