Zandy

NOW: BMA ARRESTS AN OFFICIAL ON CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS AND POSSESSION OF 22 PASSPORTS The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, confirms the arrest of a 56-year-old BMA official stationed at the Maseru Port of Entry with Lesotho, following an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the BMA 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 Free State. The arrest took place just over 10 days 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 operation was initiated after information was received from the State Security Agency regarding several Lesotho nationals' passports that had been placed under monitoring. Intelligence indicated that the passports had allegedly been transported from Limpopo to Ladybrand for the purpose of unlawfully being stamped and extending their visa validity and stay in the Republic of South Africa without the passport holders being physically present, as required by law. Acting on this information, law enforcement authorities conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of the BMA official. At the time of the arrest, the official was allegedly found in possession of 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals, without the lawful holders being present, as well as R2 100 in cash. 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. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional arrests have not been ruled out. Since the establishment of the BMA three years ago, more arrests of officials have taken place under the leadership and direction of Commissioner Masiapato. @eNCA