Border Management Authority fires 50 officials over illegal migration corruption

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has dismissed about 50 officials accused of corruption linked to illegal migration at South Africa’s borders.

BMA commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the officials were fired after investigations uncovered their involvement in syndicates facilitating illegal entry into the country.

He said more officials were still facing disciplinary processes and could also be dismissed.

Officials accused of facilitating illegal migration

Masiapato said corruption cases were concentrated mainly within immigration functions at ports of entry.

The misconduct involved officials allowing travellers with invalid passports to enter South Africa in exchange for money.

“The fundamental challenge is individuals continuing to facilitate illegal migration,” he said.

He explained that officials sometimes accepted bribes hidden in passports before stamping them to allow entry.

Other cases involved officials extending the legal stay of foreign nationals after their 90-day visa-free period had expired.

“They will sell the days or give people days that are not supposed to be given to them for a fee,” Masiapato said.

Syndicates operating with passports

Some officials were also linked to organised schemes involving passports for foreign nationals in the country.

According to Masiapato, syndicates would gather passports and take them to border posts where officials would illegally stamp them to create the impression that the holder had left and re-entered the country.

“That is exactly part of what these individuals who have been dismissed had been doing,” he said.

Key border hotspots identified

Masiapato said some border posts remained more problematic than others.

The Maseru Bridge border post between South Africa and Lesotho was currently the worst affected.

Beitbridge on the Zimbabwe border and Lebombo on the Mozambique border also remained key pressure points.

He said illegal migration from Lesotho had previously surged due to delays in passport issuance in that country, but cooperation with Lesotho authorities had helped stabilise the situation.

Technology used to catch corrupt officials

The BMA said it was using several tools to detect corruption and illegal border activity.

These include drones, surveillance systems and body cameras worn by officials.

New immigration stamps introduced in August 2025 also carry unique identification numbers linked to specific officers.

“If a passport is illegally stamped, we can link that passport back to the official,” Lebombo said.

Authorities have also created whistleblowing platforms and an anti-corruption forum involving the Hawks, the Special Investigating Unit and state security agencies.

BMA claims progress but admits challenges remain

Lebombo said the crackdown had reduced incidents of undocumented migrants travelling inland after crossing the border.

He cited previous cases where buses stopped on highways were found carrying dozens of undocumented passengers shortly after crossing border posts.

“Those incidents are gone because of the work we’re doing at the ports,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that illegal entry and smuggling at South Africa’s borders remained an ongoing challenge.

For more information, listen to Lebombo on 702’s Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa using the audio player below: