South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) has stepped up its fight against corruption at the country’s borders, with airports now firmly in the spotlight.
Image used for illustrative purposes/By: Kutay Tanir/Getty Images
The authority has dismissed 17 officials over fraud and misconduct in the past three months, as part of a wider effort to strengthen integrity across South Africa’s border management system.
The latest anti-corruption campaign was held at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday, marking a shift from previous campaigns focused primarily on land borders.
According to Nova News, the BMA says its anti-corruption efforts will now extend across airports, land borders and seaports.
Airports now part of the crackdown
BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the authority would take its campaign to different points of entry, including airports and seaports.
‘We are bringing this campaign to our airports and, in the next quarter, we will be going to one of our seaports, before returning to another airport,’ he said.
The campaign was hosted by the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum, which is chaired by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
Masiapato said corruption could occur at any type of border crossing and required a coordinated response.
He described the forum as a platform for sharing information, coordinating investigations and protecting whistleblowers.
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17 officials dismissed in three months
The BMA handled 57 labour and disciplinary cases during the past quarter. These included allegations involving fraud, corruption, breaches of internal controls and other forms of misconduct.
Of those cases, 17 officials were dismissed. Two received final warnings, while one official was suspended without pay.
Two officials were acquitted after insufficient evidence was found, while a further 33 cases remain in the disciplinary process.
Most of the cases still being investigated involve employees who worked at OR Tambo International Airport.
The Department of Home Affairs also finalised 42 disciplinary cases during the same period. These included cases involving gross misconduct, identity document fraud, financial misconduct and aiding and abetting.
Why this matters to travellers
South Africa’s airports are key entry and exit points for international travellers, making effective border management an important part of the travel experience.
The BMA’s latest campaign is aimed at ensuring that officials working across the country’s border management system uphold the required standards and that allegations of corruption are investigated.
SIU Acting Chief Operations Officer Zodwa Xesibe said corruption ultimately affects the public.
‘When public money is stolen, diverted or improperly spent, somebody ultimately pays the price,’ she said.
She also noted that while technology has changed how government services operate, it can create new opportunities for fraudulent activity.
Former official shares warning
The campaign also included testimony from Hlengiwe Khumalo, who is serving a 10-year prison sentence for fraud committed while working at the South African Revenue Service.
Khumalo said she had been earning a good salary but was influenced by friends and eventually became involved in fraud.
Her actions had serious consequences for her and her family. She said she lost her cars and houses and was required to repay the money she had stolen.
The campaign included an anti-corruption pledge signed by participating leaders, presentations from law-enforcement agencies and testimonies from convicted offenders.
Masiapato urged officials working in border management and immigration to consider the consequences of corruption, warning that the impact extends beyond the individual involved.
The BMA says its campaign will continue at different points of entry, with a seaport next on the schedule.
Source: Nova News
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