A 56-year-old South African Border Management Authority (BMA) official stationed at the Maseru Port of Entry has been arrested on allegations of corruption and unlawful possession of 22 passports belonging to Lesotho nationals.
The official was arrested following an intelligence-driven operation involving the BMA Integrity Management Unit, the Department of Home Affairs Counter Corruption Unit, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Crime Intelligence Free State, according to a BMA statement issued on Wednesday.
The operation followed intelligence indicating that several Lesotho nationals’ passports had allegedly been transported from Limpopo to Ladybrand for unlawful stamping to extend their visa validity and stay in South Africa without the passport holders being physically present, as required by law.
The official was allegedly found in possession of the 22 stamped passports and R2 100 in cash.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court on charges relating to corruption, unlawful possession of passports and immigration offences.
BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the authority was intensifying efforts to combat corruption and internal misconduct.
He said more than 60 labour relations and disciplinary cases involving alleged breaches of internal controls, fraud, corruption and other misconduct were being finalised, while 17 officials had been dismissed in the past three months.
The investigation into the arrest remains ongoing, with further arrests not ruled out. The BMA said it would continue working with law enforcement and security agencies to investigate and prosecute officials suspected of involvement in unlawful activities, the statement reads.
