The Border Management Authority BMA has clarified that freight truck delays at Beitbridge are due to issues on the Zimbabwean side, not South African border operations. BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi stated that Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato is aware of the long queues. The BMA and the South African Revenue Service SARS confirmed that all South African functions, including immigration, agriculture inspections, port health, and biosecurity controls, are operating efficiently. According to information from Zimbabwean authorities, limited parking capacity at their port, exacerbated by abnormal-load vehicles occupying space, and slower cargo processing by clearing agents are contributing to the delays. The BMA is actively engaging with its Zimbabwean counterparts to find solutions and expedite truck movement. Separately, the BMA confirmed that South Africa has repatriated nearly 73,000 foreign nationals in just over a month, with most processed at Musina鈥檚 Temporary Repatriation Centre. Authorities emphasized that migration enforcement is a rule-of-law matter and warned against resisting lawful operations, while intensifying efforts against illegal crossings, trafficking, and criminal syndicates.
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The Special Investigating Unit SIU has frozen two properties belonging to former PRASA Group CEO Tshepo Lucky Montana. This action follows a direct money trail linking the properties to PRASA's R5.6 billion Integrated Security Access Management System ISAMS contracts. The Special Tribunal granted a preservation order preventing Montana from selling, transferring, leasing, or otherwise dealing with the Hurlingham property, purchased for R13.5 million, and the Waterkloof property, bought for R2.25 million. The SIU's investigation indicated that Montana's lawful income could not account for these acquisitions. Investigators traced payments from companies within the TMM group and Precise Trade and Invest directly to the purchase of Montana's properties, with funds flowing from PRASA's contractor Siyangena Technologies through intermediaries to secure the homes. Montana is scheduled to appear before the Tribunal on August 11 to argue against the interim order being made final. The SIU has been instructed to initiate main proceedings within 30 days, reaffirming its commitment to recovering financial losses and holding those responsible accountable under its mandate to investigate maladministration and corruption at PRASA.
The Border Management Authority BMA has processed the repatriation of 72,906 foreign nationals at all South African ports of entry between June 7 and July 14, 2026. This information was confirmed by the Inter-Ministerial Committee IMC on Migration, which provided an update on the government's approach to migration management. Since June 14, 2026, 68,138 foreign nationals have been processed, with the majority repatriated after processing at the Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre TRPC. Malawian nationals constituted the largest group processed at the TRPC, followed by Zimbabwean and Mozambican nationals. The country's dedicated immigration courts have finalized 28,736 immigration-related cases, mainly for deportations, from April 1 to the end of June 2026. Of these, 46% were in Gauteng. The IMC issued a warning to foreign nationals who resist lawful operations by law enforcement authorities. The government has also intensified operations against illegal border crossings, human trafficking, labor exploitation, fraudulent documentation syndicates, illegal mining, and criminal enterprises, leading to increased arrests and processing of undocumented persons. To date, 354 cases of arrests and prosecutions have been registered against foreigners for contravening the Migration Act. The BMA continues to enhance border control measures and coordination with security agencies, with 93 joint border operations conducted since April to combat illegal movement of goods, human t
Four academics and activists have launched Vuka Azania, a new advocacy group calling for a discussion on changing South Africa's name. The group proposes "Azania" as an alternative, reviving a name associated with liberation movements during apartheid. Reverend Dr Allan Boesak, senior counsel Dr Muzi Sikhakhane, Professor Isaac Shai, and Arthur Fraser launched the movement in Sandton. Sikhakhane clarified that Vuka Azania is not a political party. Boesak argued that the country's colonial history has led to a "spiritual degradation of the African people" and that the colonial name "South Africa" cannot encompass the memory, pain, struggle, and destiny of indigenous people. He stated that a liberated people must name themselves to restore dignity and that Vuka Azania will advocate for a decolonized post-colonial constitution. Sikhakhane emphasized the need for a "grand discussion" on the country's future, aiming for a black people's convention to discuss their condition and destiny.