Human Trafficking: Ethiopians, Bangladeshis Intercepted At OR Tambo Airport 

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Johannesburg – As part of anti-human trafficking operations, South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) has intercepted two groups of 14 Ethiopians and 16 Bangladeshis at OR Tambo International Airport.

Acting BMA Commissioner Jane Thupana said the interceptions, which she described as significant, were made on Thursday, 11 December 2025.

“These interventions form part of the Authority’s intensified efforts to combat human trafficking, irregular migration, and transnational organised crime, particularly during the festive season peak,” said Thupana.

“In the first incident, on 11 December, 14 Ethiopian nationals, comprising five males and nine females, were intercepted upon arrival.”

They were all travelling on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

“Their interception followed the BMA’s analysis of passenger details, which flagged their movement pattern as suspicious,” said Thupana.

She said preliminary investigations revealed a modus operandi commonly used in human trafficking syndicates, where individuals attempt to transit through South Africa en route to neighbouring countries and later re-enter South Africa.

“As a result of these findings, all 14 individuals were intercepted,” said the acting BMA commissioner.

She said in a separate incident, 16 Bangladeshi males were intercepted after BMA officials discovered that they were in possession of fraudulent visas.

“The group arrived on another Ethiopian airline and were identified after officers noticed them blending suspiciously among South African travellers in the maze area,” Thupana said.

“Through profiling, the individuals were separated from the queue and referred to the BMA Border Law Enforcement Office for secondary investigation.

“Their documentation was confirmed to be fraudulent and their intentions inconsistent with legitimate travel, raising concerns of possible human trafficking activity.”

The acting commissioner commended the law enforcement officers involved for their vigilance, technical capability, and swift action.

She stated that these interceptions demonstrate the effectiveness of the BMA’s intelligence-led approach to border management.

Thupana noted that the Authority’s integrated use of advance passenger data, behavioural profiling, and on-the-ground enforcement remains central to preventing South Africa from being exploited as a corridor for criminal networks.

“The BMA continues to tighten border security measures during the festive season and remains committed to protecting the Republic from irregular migration, visa fraud, and human trafficking syndicates,” she said.

“The authority will continue to work with national and international partners to ensure that South Africa’s ports of entry are secure and that all attempts to undermine national security are decisively countered.”

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