Cape Town – The Border Management Authority’s (BMA) port health team at OR Tambo International Airport seized 865kg of skin-lightening products and unregistered medicine on a flight from Nigeria on Thursday.
Skin-lightening products are prohibited in South Africa due to potential harm to the skin.
“The products were coming in on a flight from Nigeria and will be destroyed. In accordance with the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 and the Foodstuffs Cosmetic and Disinfection Act 54, when these products are found, the importer has to pay for the destruction of the products before the rest of the shipment is released.
“Only an approved destruction facility licensed to deal with hazardous waste is used for destroying the products,” the BMA said in a statement.
The BMA’s port health team, in collaboration with health regulatory authorities, also found unregistered medicines, which will be destroyed.
The BMA is focused on enforcing port health regulations to secure borders, screening arriving travelers, and intensifying efforts during the festive season.
“All arriving travellers must expect to be screened and searched on their arrival at the ports of entry. We have employed all our resources and intensified our work 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,” Commissioner of the BMA, Dr Mike Masiapato said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
