KEY POINTS
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Two Border Management Authority officials and seven others were arrested at Beitbridge Border Post for alleged bribery and illegal immigration facilitation.
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The arrests followed a surveillance-led operation aided by newly deployed border technology, including AI-powered drones and body cameras.
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The BMA is enhancing border security with advanced monitoring systems amid ongoing efforts to curb corruption and illegal entries.
In a decisive crackdown on corruption and illegal immigration, two Border Management Authority, BMA, immigration officials were among nine individuals arrested at the Beitbridge Port of Entry in Limpopo on Tuesday.
According to The Citizen, the arrests were the result of a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation conducted by senior BMA executives in collaboration with local police units.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that the suspects face charges related to corruption and violations of the Immigration Act.
The arrested parties include the two BMA officials, five undocumented foreign nationals, and two facilitators believed to have enabled the illegal crossings.
The operation was initiated after surveillance technologies and movement monitoring flagged suspicious activity at the busy port.
A white Mercedes-Benz taxi, observed loitering near a retail outlet at the entry point, became the focal point of the investigation.
“During the operation, the executives observed a white Mercedes-Benz taxi parked near a shop at the port. Two BMA Immigration officials, a 61-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man, were seen engaging with the facilitator. They subsequently allowed it to pass through, allegedly after receiving a bribe,” stated the BMA in a formal release.
Authorities intercepted the vehicle shortly after it was cleared. Inside, they discovered 18 passengers—13 of whom had valid travel documentation, while five were undocumented. Both the taxi driver and a female passenger, suspected of facilitating the entry of the undocumented individuals, were detained at the scene.
All nine suspects appeared before the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. The five undocumented passengers face additional charges under South Africa’s Immigration Act. The BMA has suspended the two implicated officials, pending internal disciplinary processes and a broader criminal investigation.
“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,” said acting provincial police commissioner Major General Samuel Manala.
BMA intensifies surveillance
The BMA has recently ramped up its technological capacity to detect and prevent illicit activities along the nation’s borders.
Earlier this month, the agency unveiled a R150 million investment into surveillance technology, including the deployment of drones and 40 body-worn cameras across key entry points like OR Tambo International Airport and the Ficksburg and Maseru border posts.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber detailed the advanced capabilities of the newly deployed drones during a media briefing. “They are powered by Artificial Intelligence, enabling the devices to recognise and lock onto heat sources, such as moving people or vehicles,” Schreiber said. “They can travel at speeds up to 43 kilometres per hour and are capable of operating in remote rural areas, without access to GPS, and even underground.”
Each drone is also equipped with night vision and thermal detection technology and can be launched in under 15 seconds, ensuring swift response in dynamic border environments. The drones are weather-resistant and built to function in rugged terrains. Eight officers will be trained as specialized drone operators to manage these devices across multiple border posts.
Following the tech rollout, the BMA reported a notable decline in illegal crossings at Beitbridge, a traditionally high-traffic area for undocumented migration.
This latest operation highlights the BMA’s strategic shift toward leveraging modern technology and inter-agency collaboration to enhance border integrity, amid broader concerns over corruption and administrative inefficiencies at entry points.
