'Don't bring mangoes or skin-lightening creams into South Africa': BMA outlines strict rules at borders
Border Management Authority Commissioner Dr Mike Masiapato said officials have intensified inspections and are confiscating prohibited agricultural products and unauthorised medicines from travellers.
Image: Chester Makana/ Independent Media
As thousands of travellers queue at various ports of entry into South Africa at the end of the peak holiday travel period, the Border Management Authority (BMA) has warned against bringing agricultural products such as fruit into the country.
BMA Commissioner Dr Mike Masiapato said items including mangoes and watermelons are regularly being seized at border posts and destroyed to prevent the introduction of plant diseases and pests that could threaten South Africa’s agricultural sector.
“In terms of the interceptions that we do involving agricultural products, we do not necessarily effect arrests. What we do instead is confiscate those items and destroy them through incinerators,” Masiapato told SABC News at the Beitbridge border post.
“You are not allowed to bring, for example, mangoes from outside South Africa into the country. You are not allowed to bring certain kinds of watermelon. You are not allowed to bring anything – mangoes, apples, whatever the case is,” he said.
Masiapato explained that while some neighbouring countries may allow the entry of fresh produce, South Africa applies stricter biosecurity controls.
“Remember, other countries do not necessarily have an issue with this. If one exits South Africa with mangoes to Zimbabwe, they may accept it, but on our side, we don’t,” he said.
South Africa enforces these restrictions under agricultural and plant health legislation aimed at preventing the spread of invasive pests and diseases, which can have serious economic consequences for farmers and food security.
Masiapato said travellers wishing to import animal or plant products must comply with formal importation processes and obtain the necessary permits.
“There is a process that actually has to be followed. You must follow the normal importation procedures. You do not just bring anything into the country,” he said.
The BMA has also intensified inspections for prohibited medicines and cosmetic products, including skin-lightening creams that do not meet regulatory standards.
“When it comes to medicaments, there are instances where people bring in medications that are very undesirable, for example, skin-lightening bleaches,” Masiapato said.
“It is unacceptable. We confiscate those products and have them destroyed. They will not be allowed into the country.”
He said the authority remains on high alert as cross-border movement increases, particularly at busy crossings such as Beitbridge, one of the busiest ports of entry into South Africa.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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