South Africa: Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) intercepted and apprehended over a thousand people from Zimbabwe who were attempting to enter into South Africa through illegal border crossings this week.
In total 1,174 undocumented migrants were arrested, mainly at the Limpopo border for illegally entering into South Africa. Authorities confirmed that most of them were from Zimbabwe and said that it is an unusually high number for such a crime.
SANDF stated, “This marks the first time the members have had to manage such a massive influx during this period of the festive season.” During the operation, some of the individuals became aggressive and one soldier was stabbed. The injured soldier received medical treatment.
The incident occurred a day after the Christmas on Dec 26, 2025, as revealed by SANDF on Tuesday. Gathering more precisely information on the incident, the officers stated that the interception of Zimbabwean nationals was observed at the Groblersbridge Border post, outside the Lephalale in Limpopo.
Considering this, the spokesperson of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) – Captain Moses Semono said that they are facing a new dilemma, specifically during the Christmas Eve and the Day of Goodwill.
Semono further added that during the interception, a SANDF member was wounded by an aggressive undocumented foreign national, and the aggressor was subdued. He said that compounding the situation was the uncharacteristic aggressiveness of the individuals involved. Rifleman T.M. Mokoena sustained a stab wound to his forearm while defending himself against an undocumented person who attempted a life-threatening assault.
“However, due to the high standard of training provided by the Defence Force, Rifleman Mokoena was able to thwart the danger and neutralise the threat without resorting to deadly force,” said Captain Semono. He said Mokoena received treatment at the scene.
Investigation is still under process and the undocumented people were handed over to the South African Immigration Services in good health and without injury.
The Officer of Commanding Joint Tactical Headquarters Limpopo – Colonel Dikgabane Herold Tladi commended the soldiers for their restraint and professionalism and wished Rifleman Mokoena a speedy recovery.
Meanwhile, the search for a missing SANDF soldier took a grim turn on Monday after human remains believed to be linked to the Christmas Day incident were recovered near the Mozambique border.
Mpumalanga Police spokesperson – Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said that the discovery was made by a local fisherman in a remote section of the river, which is often referred to as ‘no man’s land’. The fisherman observed human remains floating in the river and immediately alerted the authorities.
Mdhluli confirmed that, at this stage, only a human head has been recovered. The discovery follows the disappearance of two SANDF soldiers who were swept away by floodwaters on Christmas Day while conducting border patrols near Macadamia military base.
The soldiers were attempting to cross a submerged, low-lying bridge when their vehicle was swept away by strong currents from heavy rainfall and are suspected have a link with this incident.