BMA dismisses claims that US deportees crossed into SA from Eswatini

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has rejected reports that three Third Country Nationals detained in Eswatini were released and made their way into South Africa through informal border crossings.

The BMA says the nationals, from Yemen, Belize and Laos, did not enter South Africa illegally, stressing that the country’s land ports of entry with Eswatini are secured.

This follows a now-viral report alleging that Eswatini had been releasing detainees into South Africa at night after allegedly receiving about R100 million from the United States.

EXPOSED: Eswatini secretly releasing United States (US) deportees at night to South Africa through informal border crossings after pocketing about R100million from Donald Trump administration, Loatian allegedly took flight to his home country.https://t.co/1QNkC5f18Q https://t.co/6x8vgAe2ql

— Swaziland News (@SwaziNews) October 7, 2026

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Eswatini government dismissed the claims, saying the three nationals voluntarily returned to their countries of origin, with the last person leaving on Monday.

The three had entered Eswatini under an arrangement with the US, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), to facilitate their transit back to their countries of origin.

The controversy comes amid earlier concerns from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) about the potential security and immigration implications of hosting the nationals in the region.

In August, the department raised concerns about deportees from the US,  describing them as dangerous criminals and highlighting potential implications for South Africa’s national security and immigration policy, given Eswatini’s proximity to South Africa.

“Whilst respecting the sovereign decision of the Government of Eswatini, the Government of the Republic of South Africa is deeply concerned about the profile of these individuals.”

The Eswatini government said it will continue facilitating voluntary repatriations while protecting the rights and wellbeing of Third Country Nationals.

“Whilst respecting the sovereign decision of the Government of Eswatini, the Government of the Republic of South Africa is deeply concerned about the profile of these individuals.”

The Eswatini government says it will continue facilitating voluntary repatriations while protecting the rights and wellbeing of Third Country Nationals.

Meanwhile, the BMA has warned that anyone attempting to bypass South Africa’s formal ports of entry will be detected and face enforcement action.

The authority also clarified that passengers transiting through South African airports do not enter the Republic but remain in international transfer areas.

“It is imperative to understand that any person who is in transit through South African airports goes through international transfers without entering the Republic.”

@Chrispin_JPhiri @TheBMA_SA Leader, Eswatini names no route. BMA says land ports are secure, but informal crossings go undetected by definition. If anyone transited OR Tambo without clearance, that is a security breach. Did DHA or DIRCO know of these transits, and who authorised them?

— Bhungane 🇿🇦 (@bhunganetj) October 7, 2026

With no direct international flights from eSwatini to wherever these criminals were going, it’s very clear that they left from OR Tambo!

What a shocker!

— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) October 8, 2026

South Africans demanded proof that these individuals are not currently in our country posing a security risk. I have since requested verification from @TheBMA_SA. The BMA has confirmed that the individuals travelled through OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) to their respective destinations.

— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) October 8, 2026

The Border Management Authority clarifies that South Africa’s land Ports of Entry with the Kingdom of Eswatini are secured, with access control measures implemented at designated entry and exit points. https://t.co/jdcXeWhp82

— Chrispin Phiri 🇿🇦 (@Chrispin_JPhiri) October 7, 2026