Authorities are investigating cases of aiding and abetting illegal entry after three facilitators were arrested at the Beitbridge Border Post.
The arrests come as the Border Management Authority (BMA) concludes its 10-day Easter enforcement operations.
BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato said at least 12 minors, aged between three and 12, were intercepted over the past two days while attempting to enter South Africa unlawfully. Over the past nine days, more than 500 people have been stopped trying to cross illegally at the busy border crossing.
Masiapato explained that individuals intercepted either at or near the port of entry are taken to the border facility, where their fingerprints are captured and processed on the system.
They are then declared undesirable and placed on a “V-list”, effectively barring them from re-entering South Africa for a period of five years.
He said the processing and deportation procedure can take as little as 30 minutes, depending on operational capacity. Once deported, individuals are handed over to immigration authorities in the neighbouring country, where their details are recorded to confirm the transfer.
However, cases involving children require additional safeguards.
Unaccompanied or intercepted minors are referred to the Department of Social Development and placed in temporary safe care while authorities work with neighbouring countries to reunite them with their families.
Masiapato noted that when adults claim children without proper documentation, officials cannot immediately verify the relationship, a measure aimed at preventing human trafficking.
He added that affordability remains a major challenge, particularly for Zimbabwean nationals, many of whom are unable to obtain passports. Others avoid frequent use of travel documents to prevent them from filling up.
South Africa continues to be a key destination for economic opportunities in the region, with most undocumented migrants originating from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho.
Authorities say ongoing economic pressures in neighbouring countries remain a significant driver of migration into South Africa.