Official nabbed at OR Tambo for assisting illegal immigrants
An immigration officer has been arrested for assisting illegal Bangladeshi citizens enter South Africa.
The officer was arrested O.R Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park on Wednesday.
The arrest occurred during a Department of Home Affairs operation, with Minister Aaron Motsoaledi confirming the news.
"A short while ago, we witnessed the arrest of the immigration officer at the immigration counter who was facilitating the entry of Bangladeshi nationals into the country illegally without the requisite immigration documents."
Motsoaledi adds that the arrested officer is linked to an international syndicate that has been operating in South Africa and Bangladesh.
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"In Bangladesh the syndicate includes a runner who recruits Bangladeshi who don't qualify to come to South Africa and members of an airline, all operations are coordinated by a kingpin."
According to Motsoaledi, the elaborate syndicate includes various staff members working at the airport.
"At this airport the network of syndicates involves the immigration officer who has been arrested and other role players such as members of the ground handling staff, cleaners, security personnel as well as some in the security agencies.”
The department believes more arrests are imminent.
