JOHANNESBURG, April 14 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Border Management Authority (BMA) said Sunday that a total of 1,136,250 travelers passed through the country's 71 ports of entry during this year's Easter holiday.
The figure represents an increase of 24 percent when compared with the same holiday last year, BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato said at a media briefing. This year's Easter period ran from March 26 to April 4.
The OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, the Lebombo port of entry to Mozambique, and Beitbridge port of entry to Zimbabwe are the top three ports that processed the majority of travelers with a total of 528,042 individuals, said Masiapato.
The BMA had deployed more than 400 junior border guards at some critical land ports to assist in facilitating the movement of travelers, which gave a boost to the country's tourism, he said.
A total of 3,841 people attempting to enter South Africa illegally during the Easter period were intercepted, according to Masiapato.
"The majority of those arrested without documents were intercepted at the vulnerable segments of the borderline. They were processed, declared undesirable for five years, and were deported," he said. ■
Thunder brushed off questions about youth, inexperience, in first
Over half of Brazilians live on the coast, 2022 Census shows
VOX POPULI: ‘Faitin’ spirit belies the social stress on young South Koreans
New police search for missing mum Samantha Murphy in bushland in Victoria
LIV Golf star Kevin Na unleashes foul
Compromised stopbanks pose ongoing risk for Spring Creek residents
VOX POPULI: Shizuoka head’s sudden exit leaves question about his ‘talent’
VOX POPULI: Look up from your smartphone and see the world around you
China's archaeological site parks register strong revenue growth
VOX POPULI: What jobs do children want to take in the future?