The Border Management Authority (BMA) has arrested a 56-year-old official stationed at the Maseru port of entry after he was allegedly found in possession of 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals and R2,100 in cash.
The arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation involving the BMA’s Integrity Management Unit, the Department of Home Affairs’ Counter Corruption Unit, the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Ladybrand Detectives and K9 Unit, and Crime Intelligence Free State.
BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi said the operation took place just over 10 days after the fifth instalment of the Anti-Corruption Awareness Campaign, hosted under the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum at OR Tambo International Airport.
“The operation was initiated after information was received from the State Security Agency regarding several Lesotho nationals’ passports that had been placed under monitoring,” Mogotsi said.
She said intelligence indicated that the passports had allegedly been transported from Limpopo to Ladybrand to be unlawfully stamped, thereby extending their visa validity and allowing their holders to remain in South Africa without being physically present, as required by law.
“Acting on this information, law enforcement authorities conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of the BMA official,” she said.
At the time of his arrest, the official was allegedly found with 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals who were not present, as well as R2,100 in cash.
The suspect was arrested at the scene and is expected to appear in the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court on charges relating to corruption, unlawful possession of passports and immigration-related offences.
“The investigation remains ongoing, and additional arrests have not been ruled out,” Mogotsi said.
Meanwhile, BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the authority had made more arrests of officials under his leadership since its establishment three years ago.
“The BMA was established to address longstanding challenges relating to illegal migration and corruption within the ecosystem. South Africa is beginning to see the tangible benefits of the BMA leadership’s firm and uncompromising stance against corruption,” Masiapato said.
He added that the BMA was finalising more than 60 labour relations and disciplinary cases involving breaches of internal controls, fraud, corruption and other misconduct affecting the organisation’s integrity.
In the past three months, 17 officials had been dismissed, with further dismissals expected, he said.
Masiapato said the BMA remained committed to combating corruption and safeguarding the integrity of South Africa’s ports of entry.
“The authority will continue to work closely with law enforcement and security agencies to detect, investigate and ensure the prosecution of officials involved in unlawful activities,” he said.
