According to the SA National Defence Force’s (SANDF’s) Joint Operations Division, soldiers on Operation Corona stopped 2 733 illegals from entering South Africa last month.
As many as 2 422 undocumented Zimbabweans were intercepted by SA Army soldiers along the 230 km border between the countries.
Another 199 Basotho were intercepted along the Free State/Lesotho border, while smaller numbers came from Mozambique (68), Botswana (38) and Eswatini/Mozambique (6).
Zimbabweans also accounted for most of the contraband seized, with soldiers confiscating R5.2 million worth of goods in Limpopo.
These included cigarettes, dagga, liquor, clothing, footwear, and pharmaceuticals. Mozambican travellers attempting entry in Mpumalanga were responsible for another R1.9 million in confiscations, taking the December total to R7.45 million.
No illegals from Namibia
According to the SANDF, no illegal crossings or seizures were reported along the Eastern Cape/Lesotho and Northern Cape/Namibia borders during December.
South African Army soldiers also prevented vehicles valued at R3.2 million from leaving South Africa illegally and detained 22 suspects wanted by police.
Further army seizures
Livestock seizures were also part of the SANDF’s December 2025 border patrol operations.
Animals from landlocked Lesotho illegally grazing on South African pastures were impounded. This included goats and sheep worth R7 200, and cattle valued at R2.7 million.
Drug seizures by SA Army soldiers totalled R4 million in December, with R2.2 million recovered in Limpopo and R1.3 million in KwaZulu-Natal.
Confiscating explosives
Border patrols continued into January 2026, with notable explosives busts near the Beitbridge port of entry.
On 2 January, three individuals abandoned bags containing Superpower 90 explosives valued at R82 300.
On 9 January, another two men dropped bags which contained blasting cartridges, fuses, and detonator cables valued at R131 450. The explosives are believed to be intended for illegal mining, ATM bombings and cash-in-transit heists.
December also saw a tragic incident when two Military Police members died on 25 December during a routine patrol near the Mozambique border after their vehicle was swept away by a flooded river.
