A Border Management Authority (BMA) official stationed at the Maseru Port of Entry has been arrested after allegedly being found in possession of 22 stamped passports belonging to Lesotho nationals who were not present when their travel documents were processed.

The 56-year-old official was arrested following an intelligence-driven operation involving the BMA Integrity Management Unit, the Department of Home Affairs Counter Corruption Unit, the South African Police Service (SAPS) Ladybrand Detectives and K9 Unit, and Crime Intelligence Free State.

The arrest has raised questions about possible corruption within South Africa’s border management system, with investigators probing allegations that passports were transported across provinces to be unlawfully stamped to extend their holders’ visas and periods of stay in the country.

According to the BMA, the operation followed information received from the State Security Agency (SSA) concerning several passports belonging to Lesotho nationals that had been placed under monitoring.

Intelligence indicated that the documents had allegedly been transported from Limpopo to Ladybrand in the Free State to have them stamped unlawfully, allowing their holders to extend their visa validity and remain in South Africa without being physically present, as required by law.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Mmemme Mogotsi said law enforcement authorities acted on the intelligence, leading to the official’s arrest.

At the time of the arrest, the official was allegedly found in possession of 22 stamped passports and R2,100 in cash.

“The suspect was arrested on the spot and is expected to appear before the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court on charges relating to corruption, possession of passports without lawful authority, and immigration related offences,” Mogotsi said.

The BMA has not indicated whether the R2,100 allegedly found in the official’s possession is suspected to be proceeds of corruption or whether it is directly linked to the passport allegations.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out further arrests.

The case comes amid efforts by the BMA and other government departments to strengthen measures against corruption involving officials responsible for managing South Africa’s borders and processing immigration documents.

The arrest took place just over 10 days 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.

The campaign forms part of efforts to address corruption risks within border management and immigration operations.

However, the latest allegations raise questions about how the passports allegedly moved from Limpopo to Ladybrand and whether other individuals may have been involved in facilitating the process.

The BMA has not provided further details about the identities of the passport holders, the circumstances under which the documents were allegedly transported, or whether the official was suspected of receiving payment for stamping them.

The investigation is expected to establish how the alleged scheme operated, who arranged for the passports to be moved between provinces, and whether the documents were intended to facilitate the unlawful extension of the holders’ stay in South Africa.

The arrest also comes as the BMA continues to confront concerns about corruption and misconduct among officials tasked with enforcing immigration laws.

Since the authority’s establishment three years ago, the BMA says more officials have been arrested under the leadership of Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato.

Masiapato confirmed the latest arrest, reiterating the authority’s position that officials implicated in corruption would face the consequences of their actions.

The BMA official is expected to appear in the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court, where the charges against the suspect will be formally addressed.

Meanwhile, the incident has prompted reactions on social media, where some South Africans questioned whether the official could have acted alone.

Others called for the BMA to be disbanded and suggested that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) should take responsibility for securing the country’s borders.

These reactions reflect broader public concerns about border security, immigration enforcement and the effectiveness of measures intended to prevent corruption.

However, investigators have yet to establish whether anyone else was involved in the alleged passport scheme.

Authorities have not ruled out additional arrests as the probe continues.