Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber informed a Parliamentary questioner “we are not in denial that most of our ports of entry are faced with a corruption problem”.
His written reply to Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) National Assembly (NA) public representative Thapelo Mogale adds the rider that measures to “curb and eliminate corruption” continue. One is the biometric movement control system (BMCS) which, with advanced technology such as body cameras, drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) and CCTV, will assist the Border Management Authority (BMA) to detect “acts of corruption as they occur”.
Another is the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum constituted by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), BMA and the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). It, according to the Ministerial response, will assist in developing strategies and measures aimed at dealing with corruption in the border environment, concentrating on “the immigration space”.
Mogale’s question was seemingly prompted by illegal stamping of passports at the Beitbridge port of entry (PoE) allowing “foreign nationals to fraudulently extend their days” in South Africa. He wanted Schreiber to investigate and report on any suspensions and actions taken to “deter such activities”.
The ministerial response has it there is a zero tolerance approach to corruption in the BMA.
“All officials,” Mogale was informed, “identified as being involved in any act of wrongdoing including stamping passports of foreign nationals to fraudulently extend their days in the Republic [of South Africa] were internally charged and disciplinary measures instituted against them”.
In 2024/24 three officials were charged internally and faced disciplinary proceedings with criminal charges brought against one of them. All three are currently (September 2024) awaiting the outcome of the disciplinary hearings. Two other Beitbridge officials were previously charged, found guilty and dismissed.
The DHA counter corruption unit works in collaboration with the BMA and is, according to the Schreiber response, “pursuing a variety of cases of alleged corruption”. One official is suspended pending the conclusion of a disciplinary hearing and she faces criminal charges as well.
