Border Management Authority says it cleared the Christmas Day backlog at the Lebombo border

The Border Management Authority (BMA) said that it successfully processed more than 18,000 people on Christmas Day at the Lebombo border post between South Africa and Mozambique.

People spent hours in queues on Thursday as authorities conducted checks to ensure that no one was breaking the law.

The BMA said that some travellers were processed manually at the port of entry.

Commissioner Michael Masiapato said that he is happy with the successful processing of travellers during the festive season, without major interceptions.

450 travellers had to be processed manually, consisting mainly of women and children.

During Christmas Day operations the BMA  declared 88 people undesirable because they had overstayed the 90 day period their visas had granted them.

BMA Deputy Commissioner Mmemme Mogotsi said ,"The commissioner indicated that no major interceptions were recorded in the vulnerable areas during Christmas Day due to the heightened patrols that were being conducted."

The BMA said that its relationship with other law enforcement agencies is yielding positive results.