In a shocking turn of events, two rogue border officers at the Beitbridge Port of Entry were caught red-handed accepting a bribe to let a people smuggler sneak five undocumented migrants into South Africa. Because, you know, Easter is the perfect time for some extracurricular corruption.
The corrupt officials, aged 61 and 44, were hauled off in cuffs after surveillance footage and sharp-eyed Border Management Authority (BMA) execs nailed them. It seems the BMA was watching, and waiting, for the perfect moment to strike.
The officers allegedly took cash to green-light the entry of a white Mercedes-Benz taxi, later intercepted carrying 18 passengers – five of them without papers. One wonders what the going rate is for turning a blind eye to immigration laws.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Mmemme Mogotsi confirmed that the arrests were part of a crackdown aimed at flushing out dirty dealings at the border. “We’re restoring integrity, one arrest at a time,” she said. Let’s hope these arrests send a strong message to would-be corrupt officials.
The BMA says the dodgy duo have been suspended, pending criminal and disciplinary action. Acting BMA Commissioner Jane Thupana praised her team’s swift action and reaffirmed the agency’s zero-tolerance stance. “Corruption ends here,” she declared. Let’s hope it does.
source – herald
