BMA officials in court over illegal border crossing
Two Border Management Authority (BMA) members are amongst nine people charged with corruption at the Beitbridge Port of Entry in Limpopo.
The 61-year-old woman and 44-year-old man are accused of illegally aiding undocumented immigrants cross the border.
An intelligence driven operation led to their arrest after they allegedly received a bribe to turn a blind eye while a taxi with five undocumented immigrants made its way into South Africa on Tuesday.
"The vehicle was later intercepted, and it was found to be transporting a total of 18 passengers: 13 were in possession of valid passports, while 5 were undocumented foreign nationals with no travel documents," said police spokesperson Malesela Ledwaba.
"A female passenger and a taxi driver, believed to have played active roles in the illicit facilitation were also arrested at the scene."
He says all the suspects were charged with corruption, including the BMA officials.
"The five undocumented immigrants were separately charged with contravening the Immigration Act. All nine accused are set to appear before the Musina Magistrate's court for bail application on Thursday," adds Ledwaba.
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