South Africans question BMA after undocumented passengers dound aboard Zimbabwean buses in Limpopo

Two buses travelling from Zimbabwe were intercepted on the N1 near Polokwane on Friday, carrying a combined 178 passengers
Limpopo authorities found 65 passengers without passports, including 28 minors, across both overloaded buses
South Africans expressed frustration following the discovery, with many questioning how the buses entered the country

South Africans criticised the country's border control after two overloaded buses from Zimbabwe were stopped near Limpopo — South Africans questioned the country's border control after 65 passengers without passports were found aboard a Zimbabwean bus near Limpopo. Image: @LimChronicle
Source: Twitter

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

LIMPOPO — South Africans are questioning the Border Management Authority after two buses travelling from Zimbabwe were stopped on the N1 near Polokwane on Friday, 16 October 2026.

Authorities discovered they were overloaded and transporting dozens of passengers without travel documents. The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety confirmed the interception, with spokesperson Mashudu Mabata providing details of both vehicles.

The buses were escorted to the Polokwane weighbridge for further inspection after being flagged on the highway.

What authorities found at the weighbridge

The first bus had a licensed carrying capacity of 75 passengers but was found to be transporting 88, exceeding its limit by 13. Of those, 15 passengers — six minors and nine adults — had no passports. The vehicle was also found to be overweight by 1,080kg on its first axle and was issued a spot fine.

The second bus, with a capacity of 74, was carrying 90 passengers, 16 more than permitted. A total of 50 people aboard lacked passports, comprising 22 minors and 28 adults.

Across both coaches, 65 of the 178 passengers were undocumented. Mabata confirmed that action would be taken against both drivers.

"The two drivers will be charged and detained in terms of Section 42 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002: aiding and abetting illegal foreigners," she said.

How did South Africans react?

The interception drew swift reaction on social media, with many South Africans directing their anger not at the buses themselves but at how they managed to travel so far into the country undetected.

@engangelizwe asked:

"Why is the SANDF and/or BMA allowing this to happen?"

@MoMakgoba questioned the BMA:

"How did they pass the border?"

@SizweM75 added:

"How did they pass the border with passengers without passports? Go to the border and turn the heat there."

@Quen_tin questioned:

"Just how did they make it that far into the country?"

@nicholasp2105 said simply:

"This is an invasion."

@Uyskaas said:

"The BMA is just a wasteful, useless entity. Or were they mandated to look away?"

South Africans question BMA after undocumented passengers dound aboard Zimbabwean buses in Limpopo

What authorities found at the weighbridge

How did South Africans react?

Other stories about foreign nationals being transported aboard buses