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. ■
Messi in and Dybala out in Argentina squad for pre
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from older Americans last year, an FBI report says
Welcome to stench ground zero: The village where an unspeakable two
Messi in and Dybala out in Argentina squad for pre
Democrats vow to protect Speaker Mike Johnson from being ousted from office
WADA defends pick of Swiss prosecutor under scrutiny in review of Chinese swimmers case
2 men are charged with cutting down famous 150
Amtrak train hits pickup truck in upstate New York, 3 dead including child
Rhod Gilbert shares cancer update as he admits he's 'pinching himself' over performing stand
Jon Wysocki dead at 53: Staind drummer passes away
Audit finds Wisconsin Capitol Police emergency response times up, calls for better tracking