JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Border Management Authority (BMA) has intensified its efforts to combat human trafficking, announcing two major interceptions of undocumented migrants at OR Tambo International Airport this week.
On Thursday, the BMA intercepted 14 Ethiopian nationals, including five males and nine females, upon arrival on an Ethiopian Airlines flight. A second incident involved 16 Bangladeshi males, who were intercepted after authorities discovered they were in possession of fraudulent visas.
In a statement released on Thursday, BMA Deputy Commissioner Jane Thupana emphasized that human trafficking and irregular migration tend to rise during the festive season, reaffirming the BMA's commitment to tackling these transnational crimes.
The group of Bangladeshi nationals arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on another Ethiopian airline. "Their documentation was confirmed to be fraudulent and their intentions inconsistent with legitimate travel, raising concerns of possible human trafficking activity," Thupana said.
She said the BMA officers stationed at airports and other border points would intensify efforts to crack down on criminality and criminal syndicates, particularly during the festive season.
