Maseru border fraud puts cross-border travellers with Lesotho passports on alert

South Africa's Border Management Authority (BMA) says a 58-year-old official stationed at the Maseru Port of Entry on the Lesotho border has been arrested after being found with stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals and cash. The passports were allegedly being stamped to extend the holders' visa validity and stay in South Africa without them being there in person.

Key facts

• Where: Maseru Port of Entry, on South Africa's border with Lesotho
• What was found: 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals, plus R2 100 in cash
• Who was arrested: a 58-year-old BMA official, arrested on the spot
• Next step: an expected appearance at the Ladybrand Magistrate's Court
• Status: the investigation is continuing and further arrests have not been ruled out

What is alleged to have happened?

The BMA said the operation was carried out by its Integrity Management Unit together with the Department of Home Affairs Counter Corruption Unit, the Police's Ladybrand Detectives and K9 Unit, and Crime Intelligence Free State. The action followed information from the State Security Agency about several Lesotho nationals' passports that had been placed under monitoring.

When the official was arrested, law enforcement allegedly found 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals whose lawful holders were not present, along with R2 100 in cash. The passports were allegedly moved from Limpopo to Ladybrand to be stamped unlawfully, extending their visa validity and stay in South Africa without the passport holders being physically present, as the law requires.

What happens next for the official?

BMA commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the suspect was arrested at the scene and is expected to appear before the Ladybrand Magistrate's Court. The charges relate to corruption, possession of passports without lawful authority, and immigration-related offences.

Masiapato said the investigation is continuing and that additional arrests have not been ruled out.

Why is this happening?

The arrest came just over a week after the fifth instalment of the Anti-Corruption Awareness Campaign, held under the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum at OR Tambo International Airport.

Masiapato said the BMA "was established to address longstanding challenges relating to illegal migration and corruption". He added that the Authority will keep working with law enforcement and security agencies to detect, investigate and secure the prosecution of officials involved in unlawful activities.

The commissioner also said the BMA is finalising more than 60 labour relations and disciplinary cases involving internal control breaches, fraud, corruption and other misconduct. In the last three months, 17 officials were dismissed from the BMA, and more dismissals are expected.

What this means for travellers

The case concerns passport stamps issued at a South African border post while the passport holder was not there. Under the rules described by the BMA, a passport holder must be physically present for their passport to be stamped, and stamps that extend visa validity and stay in South Africa are not valid when issued without that presence.

Travellers crossing between South Africa and Lesotho can expect the BMA's anti-corruption work at ports of entry to continue. The BMA has said further arrests are possible as the investigation continues.