Kempton Park – Nine Bangladeshi nationals were intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday after Border Management Authority officials detected irregularities in their travel documents, all of which carried fraudulent South African visas.
The visas were purportedly issued by the South African High Commission in New Delhi, India.
BMA spokesperson Mmeme Mogotsi said three of the travellers were women travelling on ordinary Bangladeshi passports, while the six men initially presented fraudulent Indian passports before revealing their true identities under questioning. 
Some of the fraudulent travel documents seized from nine Bangladeshi nationals intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday. Photo: X/@TheBMA_SA
“Of the nine travellers, three females were travelling on ordinary Bangladeshi passports, while six males initially presented fraudulent Indian passports. Upon further questioning and verification, the six males subsequently produced their Bangladeshi passports,” Mogotsi said.
All nine were denied entry and arrangements were made to return them to Bangladesh.
BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato said the interception pointed to the growing sophistication of transnational document fraud networks.
“The detection of these fraudulent visas and passports is a testament to the vigilance, expertise, and commitment of BMA officials who continue to safeguard the integrity of South Africa’s borders,” he said.
“Criminal syndicates are constantly devising new methods to circumvent immigration controls, but our officials remain alert and equipped to identify fraudulent documentation and prevent unlawful entry into the country.”
Masiapato said the case sends a strong message to those attempting to exploit South Africa’s ports of entry.
“This interception sends a clear message that South Africa’s ports of entry are protected by a capable and vigilant Border Management Authority. We will continue to strengthen our detection capabilities, enhance intelligence-led operations, and collaborate with domestic and international partners to dismantle criminal networks involved in document fraud and illegal migration,” he said.
Investigations are underway to determine where the fraudulent documents originated and whether the case is linked to a broader criminal syndicate.
