…contraband seized by South Africa’s BMA Port Health aboard flight from Nigeria
Tulani Ngwenya
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The Border Management Authority (BMA) Port Health Team at OR Tambo International Airport has successfully intercepted an 865kg contraband of skin lightening products and unregistered medicines arriving on a flight from Nigeria.
The contraband was captured on Thursday.
Skin-lightening products, known to cause harm to the skin, are prohibited in South Africa.
Acting under the authority of the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 and the Foodstuffs Cosmetic and Disinfection Act 54, the BMA Port Health Team said the contraband would be destroyed.
According to regulations, the importer is required to cover the cost of destruction before the remainder of the shipment is released. Only approved destruction facilities, licensed to handle hazardous waste, are employed for this purpose.
The interception also included unregistered medicines, which have been detained for destruction. The collaboration between Port Health and Environmental Health Practitioners is crucial, with officials from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) playing a pivotal role in advising on product identification and the necessary steps to be taken.
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Port Health, an essential function of the Border Management Authority, meticulously monitors all foodstuffs, cosmetics, disinfectants, hazardous substances, and medicines entering South Africa through its ports.
Dr Mike Masiapato, the BMA Commissioner, emphasised the stringent port health regulations in place to safeguard the country.
“All arriving travellers must expect to be screened and searched upon their arrival at the ports of entry. We have deployed all our resources and intensified our efforts during this festive season to ensure our borders are secured. We aim to record significant success with interceptions around the ports of entry and border law enforcement areas,” Dr Masiapato stated.
The BMA holds responsibility for the entire border environment, ensuring the legitimate movement of goods and people. The recent interception underscores the BMA’s commitment to upholding safety standards and preventing the entry of harmful and unauthorised products into the country.
