Gauteng passport trail brings two BMA officials to court
PIET RETIEF — Two Border Management Authority (BMA) officials remain in custody after police alleged that expired passports were collected in Gauteng and taken to the Emahlathini border gate in Mpumalanga to be stamped for a fee. Msebenzi Abednigo Mgobo and Mbuso Mnisi appeared in the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 3 November, on charges of corruption, fraud and contravening the Immigration Act.
The investigation began in July when police received information that officials at Emahlathini were stamping expired passports belonging to foreign nationals. Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said investigators had identified one suspect who allegedly collected the documents in Gauteng and transported them to the border post. Masondo did not identify which suspect allegedly carried the passports.
Members of the South African Police Service’s Organised Crime Investigation Unit arrested Mgobo and Mnisi on Monday, 2 November. Police said a third suspect identified during the investigation had since died. The court remanded the two officials in custody until 10 November, when they are expected to apply for bail.
Separate arrest at the Lesotho border
In a separate case in October, BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato confirmed the arrest of a 56-year-old official stationed at the Maseru port of entry. The BMA said investigators found the official with 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals and R2,100 in cash. None of the passport holders was present, according to the authority.
That investigation began after the State Security Agency flagged passports for monitoring. BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi said investigators had received information that the documents had travelled from Limpopo to Ladybrand so they could be stamped to extend their holders’ stays in South Africa. The BMA said its integrity unit, Home Affairs investigators and Free State police took part in the operation.
Anyone with additional information can contact the press desk at press@townpress.co.za or drop a tip.