Non-governmental organisation AfriForum is urging the South African Border Management Authority (BMA) and law enforcement agencies to strengthen security at all ports of entry and along porous border areas, to combat illegal border crossings from Mozambique into South Africa.

The organisation pointed to the recent unrest in Mozambique, which it said has forced thousands to flee their homes, creating a surge of refugees entering neighbouring countries such as Malawi and Eswatini.

“However, the exact number of Mozambicans crossing into South Africa remains unclear, raising serious concerns about border security and the effectiveness of current measures,” said AfriForum Community Safety chief spokesperson Jacques Broodryk.

The unrest in Mozambique stems from post-election violence, which has displaced thousands.

Broodryk pointed to figures from the United Nations Refugee Agency, which revealed that about 2 000 people entered Malawi during the last week of 2024, while over 1 000 have sought refuge in Eswatini.

The Malindza refugee reception centre in Eswatini, designed to accommodate 250 people, is now housing over 1 000 individuals, underscoring the severity of the crisis.

“In South Africa, the situation is no less alarming. In December, BMA officials at the Lebombo port of entry intercepted a minibus taxi smuggling fourteen undocumented children, aged between 4 and fourteen, from Mozambique. These children were rescued thanks to the vigilance of border officials, but such incidents highlight the ongoing risks posed by criminal networks exploiting the current chaos. We must ensure that those seeking asylum do so through the correct and legal processes, seeing as criminals such as smugglers and human traffickers are exploiting the crisis, and this cannot be allowed,” Broodryk stated.

He emphasised that South Africa must enhance cooperation with neighbouring countries to tackle cross-border trafficking and illegal crossings, and must work with community safety structures, such as AfriForum neighbourhood watches, to monitor and patrol high-risk areas effectively.

“Several AfriForum neighbourhood and farm watch structures in border areas have been instrumental in patrolling South Africa’s porous borders. It is critical that authorities collaborate with these groups to strengthen border security and protect both South Africans and displaced individuals from exploitation,” he explained.