BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato has urged travelers to check luggage carefully, warning that even a single cockroach from abroad could introduce invasive species, diseases, and strict fines in South Africa.
Image: File
Travelers heading to South Africa have been urged to check their luggage carefully when abroad, after Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato highlighted the risk of inadvertently introducing invasive species into the country.
Dr Masiapato used a vivid example to stress the importance of checking luggage.
“When you pack your bag and you are in some other foreign jurisdiction somewhere, make sure that you look around as you pack your bags, lest you pack some cockroach from some other country somewhere, which is fairly not in existence in our jurisdiction.
Once you arrive at your house, you unpack in your bag, the cockroach enters your house, it starts the production realities, and now you’ve just introduced a new cockroach that was never seen in the Republic, and before you know it, it might start eating your toes,” Masiapato said.
The commissioner also highlighted agricultural and environmental biosecurity measures, noting that the importation of plants, animals, and related products is highly regulated.
“Complying with these requirements assists the BMA to deter the risk of introducing alien and invasive species, foreign pests, and diseases which could be associated with the imported plants, plant products, animal products, or other regulated goods,” he said.
“Anyone who decides to disregard these import laws will face a fine or even imprisonment.”
Dr Masiapato made the remarks on Saturday during a media briefing, where he presented the BMA’s 2026 Easter Festive Season Operational Plan.
He said port health specialists would continue screening travelers at all points of entry to detect infectious and communicable diseases.
“Travelers arriving from yellow fever-endemic countries, as they already know, they must be in possession of valid yellow fever certificate. Without such, no entry will be processed,” he said.
He added that conveyances from yellow fever and malaria-endemic areas, including aircraft and buses, must ensure proper disinfection in line with World Health Organisation guidelines and the International Health Regulations of 2005.
Travelers showing signs of illness are encouraged to present themselves at the BMA Port Health Clinics at points of arrival or seek consultation at their nearest health facility.
Masiapato also reminded those carrying health-related goods, such as food, medicine, hazardous substances, or cosmetics, to declare them on arrival.
Masiapato reminded travelers that transporting human remains, including ashes, requires an import or export permit issued by the National Department of Health.
“Without such a permit, unfortunately, there wouldn’t be any processing done until the requirement is complied with,” he said.
To curb corruption at the borders, the BMA will continue using drones and body cameras. Masiapato acknowledged the KwaZulu-Natal government for donating a drone to strengthen surveillance, particularly in addressing illegal migration.
He also highlighted the introduction of highly secured stamps for immigration officers, which carry unique numbers linking any illegal passport stamping to the responsible official.
He further noted that anti-corruption and fraud awareness sessions are being conducted under the leadership of the Special Investigating Unit ( SIU) through the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum, educating officials on the serious consequences associated with corrupt tendencies.
“Any involvement in illegal activities will be detected and be met with decisive consequences,” Masiapato said, adding that the BMA is committed to secure, efficient, and traveler-friendly border management.
IOL Politics