Maseru border official arrested over 22 allegedly stamped passports

A Border Management Authority (BMA) official stationed at the Maseru port of entry has been arrested after allegedly being found with 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals and R2,100 in cash.

The 56-year-old official was arrested during an intelligence-led operation involving the BMA’s Integrity Management Unit, the Department of Home Affairs’ Counter Corruption Unit, the South African Police Service’s Ladybrand Detectives and K9 Unit, and Crime Intelligence Free State.

According to BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi, the operation followed information received from the State Security Agency about several Lesotho nationals’ passports that had been placed under monitoring.

Passports allegedly stamped unlawfully

Mogotsi said intelligence suggested that the passports had allegedly been transported from Limpopo to Ladybrand to be stamped unlawfully.

The alleged scheme was intended to extend the validity of the passport holders’ visas, allowing them to remain in South Africa without being physically present for the process, as required by law.

Authorities acted on the information and arrested the official, who was allegedly found in possession of 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals who were not present, along with R2,100 in cash.

The arrest came just over 10 days after the fifth instalment of the Anti-Corruption Awareness Campaign, hosted by the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum at OR Tambo International Airport.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court on charges relating to corruption, unlawful possession of passports and immigration-related offences.

Mogotsi said investigations were continuing and further arrests had not been ruled out.

BMA intensifies action against corruption

BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the authority had made more arrests of officials under his leadership since its establishment three years ago.

He said the BMA was created to address longstanding challenges involving illegal migration and corruption, adding that the authority was committed to taking firm action against misconduct.

Masiapato also revealed that the BMA was finalising more than 60 labour relations and disciplinary cases involving alleged breaches of internal controls, fraud, corruption and other forms of misconduct.

Over the past three months, 17 officials had been dismissed, with further dismissals expected, he said.

The commissioner said the authority would continue working with law enforcement and security agencies to detect and investigate unlawful activities and ensure that officials implicated in wrongdoing faced prosecution.

The investigation into the Maseru border official remains ongoing.