A 56-year-old Border Management Authority (BMA) official has been arrested at the Maseru Port of Entry for alleged corruption and unlawful possession of 22 stamped Lesotho passports.

The BMA said the arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation involving its Integrity Management Unit, Home Affairs’ Counter Corruption Unit, SAPS detectives and K9 Unit, and Crime Intelligence in the Free State.

The operation was launched after information emerged that Lesotho passports had allegedly been transported from Limpopo to Ladybrand to be stamped unlawfully, potentially extending their holders’ stay in South Africa without them being physically present.

The official was allegedly found with the 22 stamped passports and R2,100 in cash. He is expected to appear in the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court on charges including corruption, unlawful possession of passports and immigration-related offences. The investigation continues, and further arrests have not been ruled out.

The arrest follows a similar case in July 2026, when another BMA official was arrested at the same port for allegedly accepting R600 to unlawfully endorse a Lesotho national’s passport.

BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the authority was intensifying efforts to root out corruption among its officials. He said more than 60 labour relations and disciplinary cases involving fraud, corruption and misconduct were being finalised, while 17 officials had been dismissed in the past three months.

Masiapato reaffirmed the BMA’s commitment to working with law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute officials involved in unlawful activities.

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