Hawks arrest senior immigration officer over alleged bribe demand from foreign national

Nelspruit – A senior immigration officer accused of soliciting a bribe from a foreign national was granted R5,000 bail by the White River Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

According to the South African Police Service, 50-year-old Veli Malambe was arrested earlier on Monday by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit based in Nelspruit.

Police allege that Malambe demanded money from a foreign national after arresting her for allegedly working as a street vendor in South Africa without a valid work permit.

“It is alleged that Malambe confiscated the travelling document of the 33-year-old female victim, as well as the identity document of her 42-year-old South African employer,” police said in a statement.

The Hawks further alleged that the accused demanded R2,500 before the documents would be returned to their owners.

The matter was later reported to the Hawks, who launched an investigation into the allegations.

“During the investigation, the alleged gratification amount was reduced from R2,500 to R1,500,” police said.

Authorities said the Hawks supplied operational money that was allegedly handed to the accused during a sting operation.

“Following the payment, members of the Hawks apprehended the accused, who was found in possession of the state money. The confiscated documents were also recovered,” the statement added.

Malambe briefly appeared in court on Monday and was released on R5,000 bail. He is expected to return to the White River Magistrate’s Court on 26 June 2026.

The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, warned public officials against abusing their positions for personal gain.

Gerber “warned officials in positions of authority against abusing their powers for personal enrichment”, police said.