Police caught two border officers taking bribes at Beitbridge during Easter weekend. The officials accepted money to let a taxi with undocumented migrants enter South Africa. Border Management Authority executives spotted the suspicious activity on camera. Officers arrested the corrupt officials, ages 61 and 44, after they allowed a white Mercedes-Benz taxi through the checkpoint.
Law enforcement stopped the vehicle carrying 18 passengers, five of whom were without proper documents. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Mmemme Mogotsi said these arrests started their effort to clean up border operations. Officials called detectives, the Anti-Corruption Unit, and the Criminal Record Centre after noticing the illegal transaction. The exchange happened near a shop before the taxi passed through the border post.
Police also arrested the driver and a female passenger suspected of smuggling people. All nine suspects appeared in the Musina court on April 23, facing corruption and immigration charges. The court scheduled another hearing for April 24. The Border Management Authority suspended both corrupt officers pending criminal charges and workplace discipline.
Acting Commissioner Jane Thupana praised her team for quick action against wrongdoing. The agency recently added 40 body cameras to fight corruption at border posts. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber reported that 27 dishonest officials lost their jobs since July for similar offenses at entry points.
Law enforcement stopped the vehicle carrying 18 passengers, five of whom were without proper documents. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Mmemme Mogotsi said these arrests started their effort to clean up border operations. Officials called detectives, the Anti-Corruption Unit, and the Criminal Record Centre after noticing the illegal transaction. The exchange happened near a shop before the taxi passed through the border post.
Police also arrested the driver and a female passenger suspected of smuggling people. All nine suspects appeared in the Musina court on April 23, facing corruption and immigration charges. The court scheduled another hearing for April 24. The Border Management Authority suspended both corrupt officers pending criminal charges and workplace discipline.
Acting Commissioner Jane Thupana praised her team for quick action against wrongdoing. The agency recently added 40 body cameras to fight corruption at border posts. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber reported that 27 dishonest officials lost their jobs since July for similar offenses at entry points.
