A 56-year-old Border Management Authority official stationed at the Maseru Port of Entry has been arrested after allegedly being found with 22 stamped Lesotho passports and R2,100 in cash. The official is expected to appear in the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court as investigations continue.

Thembelihle Mabanga

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A Border Management Authority (BMA) official has been arrested on allegations of corruption after allegedly being found in possession of 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals who were not present during the stamping process.

The 56-year-old official, stationed at the Maseru Port of Entry on the border with Lesotho, was arrested during an intelligence-driven operation involving the BMA’s 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 in the Free State.

In a statement on Wednesday, the BMA said the operation followed information received from the State Security Agency about several Lesotho nationals’ passports that had been placed under monitoring.

Investigators allegedly received intelligence indicating that the passports had been transported from Limpopo to Ladybrand to be stamped unlawfully, potentially extending the holders’ visa validity and their permitted stay in South Africa.

The BMA said the passport holders were not physically present, as required by law.

During the operation, the official was allegedly found with 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, possession of passports without lawful authority and immigration-related offences.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out further arrests.

BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the authority was continuing to take action against alleged corruption within its ranks.

He said the BMA was finalising more than 60 labour relations and disciplinary cases involving alleged internal control breaches, fraud, corruption and other misconduct.

Masiapato added that 17 officials had been dismissed from the authority in the past three months, with further dismissals expected.

The commissioner said the BMA would continue working with law enforcement and security agencies to identify, investigate and prosecute officials allegedly involved in unlawful activities.

The authority also urged members of the public to report suspected illegal activities at the country’s borders.