Maseru – A 56-year-old Border Management Authority (BMA) official stationed at the Maseru Port of Entry with Lesotho has been arrested on allegations of corruption after allegedly being found with 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals and R2,100 in cash.
The arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation involving 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.
In a statement on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the operation was launched after information was received from the State Security Agency about several Lesotho nationals’ passports that had been placed under monitoring.
Intelligence indicated that the passports had allegedly been transported from Limpopo to Ladybrand to be unlawfully stamped, extending their visa validity and allowing the holders to prolong their stay in South Africa without being physically present, as required by law.
At the time of the arrest, the official was allegedly found in possession of 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals who were not present, along with R2,100 in cash.
The suspect 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 BMA said investigations were ongoing and that further arrests had not been ruled out.
Crackdown on corruption
The arrest comes 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.
Masiapato said the authority was intensifying efforts to address corruption and misconduct within its ranks.
“The BMA was established to address longstanding challenges relating to illegal migration and corruption within the ecosystem,” he said.
“South Africa is beginning to see the tangible benefits of the BMA leadership’s firm and uncompromising stance against corruption.”
According to the commissioner, the authority is finalising more than 60 labour relations and disciplinary cases involving internal control breaches, fraud, corruption and other misconduct affecting organisational integrity.
“In the last three months, 17 officials were dismissed from the BMA and more are expected,” Masiapato added.
The commissioner said the authority would continue working with law enforcement and security agencies to detect and investigate unlawful activities and ensure that officials implicated in corruption are prosecuted.
The BMA has urged members of the public to report suspected illegal activities at the country’s borders.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
