Border Management Authority cracks down on officials accused of facilitating illegal entry and passport fraud.
More than 50 officials working at South Africa’s ports of entry have been dismissed after being implicated in corruption schemes that allowed undocumented travellers to enter the country illegally.
The Border Management Authority (BMA) confirmed the dismissals as part of an intensified anti-corruption drive aimed at restoring integrity at the country’s borders.
BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said investigations revealed that some officials were involved in activities such as fraudulent passport stamping and illegally extending the stay of travellers in South Africa.
According to Masiapato, certain officials were “selling days”, a corrupt practice where travellers whose legal stay had expired were illegally granted additional time in the country.
The crackdown follows the establishment of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum, a multi-agency structure led by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
Authorities say tip-offs submitted through the Operation Itebise hotline helped expose some of the corruption schemes.
While more than 50 officials have been dismissed, several are also facing criminal prosecution in courts near major ports of entry including Musina (Beitbridge), Ladybrand (Maseru Bridge) and Komatipoort (Lebombo).
The BMA also confirmed that an additional 38 officials are currently undergoing disciplinary processes that could lead to further dismissals.
To deter corruption, body cameras have been introduced for frontline border officials. Authorities say the cameras are already acting as a strong deterrent.
However, the BMA is currently operating at about 25% capacity. Government has allocated more than R900 million over the next three years to recruit around 700 additional staff members to strengthen border management operations.
Officials say the crackdown forms part of broader efforts to tighten border security, combat illegal migration and restore integrity within South Africa’s immigration system.