The Border Management Authority (BMA) has placed 38 officials under disciplinary review as part of ongoing efforts to tackle corruption at South Africa’s ports of entry. This follows the dismissal of over 50 immigration officers previously found guilty of facilitating illegal entry and selling visas.
The announcement was made during an awareness campaign at the Maseru Bridge Port of Entry, hosted by the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum (BMIACF). The forum brings together law enforcement agencies, government departments, and civil society to address corruption in border management.
BMA Commissioner and CEO Dr. Michael Masiapato emphasised that corruption will not be tolerated. “Fifty immigration officers have already been dismissed, and another 38 are currently undergoing disciplinary processes, most of whom are likely to be removed from their positions,” he said. He added that unethical conduct undermines the integrity of South Africa’s ports and erodes public trust.
Dr. Masiapato urged all officials to carry out their duties with honesty, professionalism, and accountability. The awareness campaign highlighted the importance of proactive measures, including lifestyle audits, employee vetting, and advanced data analytics, to prevent corruption before it occurs.
The BMIACF, chaired by Acting Head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) Leonard Gaoretelelwe Lekgetho, has been operational since 2025 and serves as a collaborative platform for government agencies and civil society to tackle systemic corruption affecting border operations.
“The message is clear: safeguarding the country’s ports requires ethical leadership, personal responsibility, and zero tolerance for corruption,” Dr. Masiapato said.
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