The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, has confirmed the arrest of a 56-year-old BMA official stationed at the Maseru Port of Entry on the border with Lesotho.
At the time of the arrest, the official was allegedly found in possession of 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals, although the lawful holders were not present, as well as R2 100 in cash.
The arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the BMA Integrity Management Unit, the Department of Home Affairs Counter Corruption Unit, the South African Police Service (SAPS) Ladybrand Detectives and K9 Unit, and Crime Intelligence Free State.
The arrest took place just over 10 days after the fifth instalment of the Anti-Corruption Awareness Campaign, which was hosted under the auspices of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum at OR Tambo International Airport.
The operation was initiated after the State Security Agency provided information about several passports belonging to Lesotho nationals that had been placed under monitoring.
Intelligence indicated that the passports had allegedly been transported from Limpopo to Ladybrand to be stamped unlawfully, thereby extending the holders' visa validity and stay in the Republic of South Africa without their being physically present, as required by law.
Acting on this information, law enforcement authorities conducted an operation that led to the BMA official's arrest.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Ladybrand Magistrate's Court on charges related to corruption, possession of passports without lawful authority and immigration offences.
The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests have not been ruled out.
Since the BMA was established three years ago, several officials have been arrested under Masiapato's leadership and direction.
“The BMA was established to address longstanding challenges related to illegal migration and corruption within the border management ecosystem. South Africa is beginning to see the tangible benefits of the BMA leadership's firm and uncompromising stance against corruption.
“The BMA is currently finalising more than 60 labour relations and disciplinary cases involving breaches of internal controls, fraud, corruption and other misconduct affecting organisational integrity. In the past three months, 17 officials have been dismissed from the BMA, and more dismissals are expected,” Masiapato said.
Masiapato, who brings extensive intelligence experience to his leadership role, has made it unequivocally clear that the Border Management Authority remains 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 and investigate unlawful conduct and ensure that officials involved are prosecuted. – SAnews.gov.za
