BMA officials among nine people arrested for corruption at Beitbridge border post
They allegedly allowed five undocumented people to enter South Africa.
The arrests were made during a routine operation at the border post.
Two Border Management Authority (BMA) officials were among nine people arrested for corruption at the Beitbridge Port of Entry - one of South Africa's busiest border posts - on Tuesday.
"During the operation, surveillance teams observed a white Mercedes-Benz taxi parking next to the shop. Two BMA officials, a 61-year-old female and a 44-year-old male, both stationed at the Beitbridge Border Post, were seen stopping the vehicle and subsequently allowing it to proceed, allegedly after receiving a bribe," police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said.
The vehicle was later intercepted and was found to be transporting 18 passengers. Of those, five were found to be undocumented foreigners who had no travel documents, Ledwaba said.
"A female passenger and the taxi driver, believed to have played active roles in the illicit facilitation, were also arrested at the scene," he added.
They have been charged with corruption and the five allegedly undocumented people were also charged with contravening the Immigration Act.
All nine are expected to apply for bail on Thursday.
The BMA had not commented by the time of publication. Its response will be added once received.
Acting provincial police commissioner Major General Samuel Manala said: "This operation is a clear demonstration of our unwavering commitment to uprooting corruption and illegal activities at our borders."
"The actions of those entrusted with enforcing the law, yet who choose to undermine it for personal gain, will not be tolerated. I commend the teams for their vigilance and dedication in protecting the integrity of our borders."
Earlier this month, police arrested a 37-year-old man during a routine inspection at the south gate of the same border post for possession of illegal explosives.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said officers discovered two boxes containing illegal explosives valued at about R300 000.
Mashaba added that police suspected that he was working with a syndicate that could be linked to cash-in-transit heists, ATM bombings or illegal mining.
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