BMA official caught with stamped Lesotho passports and cash

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has confirmed the arrest of a 58-year-old BMA official stationed at the Maseru Port of Entry on the border with Lesotho after he was found in possession of stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals and cash.

According to the BMA, the operation was conducted by its Integrity Management Unit, the Department of Home Affairs Counter Corruption Unit, the Police’s Ladybrand Detectives and K9 Unit, and Crime Intelligence Free State after information was received from the State Security Agency regarding several Lesotho nationals’ passports that had been placed under monitoring.

At the time of the arrest, law enforcement officials allegedly found the official in possession of 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals, without the lawful holders being present, as well as R2 100 in cash.

The passports were allegedly transported from Limpopo to Ladybrand to be unlawfully stamped, extending their visa validity and stay in South Africa without the passport holders being physically present, as required by law.

BMA commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato says the suspect was arrested on the spot and is expected to appear before the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court on charges relating to corruption, possession of passports without lawful authority, and immigration-related offences.

bma arrest lesotho border official

Masiapato have indicated that the investigation remains ongoing, and added that additional arrests have not been ruled out.

The arrest took place just over a week 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 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,” said Dr Masiapto

According to the commissioner, the BMA is currently finalising more than 60 labour relations and disciplinary cases involving internal control breaches, fraud, corruption and other misconduct affecting organisational integrity. In the last three months, 17 officials were reportedly dismissed from the BMA, with Masiapato claiming that more are expected.

“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.”