The White River Magistrate’s Court has granted a senior immigration officer arrested by the Hawks on corruption charges R5 000 bail.

According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, 50-year-old Veli Malambe appeared in court on Monday, 11 May 2026, shortly after his arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit based in Nelspruit.

The arrest follows allegations that Malambe demanded money from a foreign national after allegedly arresting her for working as a street vendor in South Africa without a valid work permit.

It is alleged that the accused confiscated the travel documents of the 33-year-old woman as well as the identity document of her 42-year-old South African employer.

The Hawks said Malambe allegedly demanded R2 500 in exchange for returning the documents to their owners. The matter was later reported to investigators, who launched an operation.

During the investigation, the alleged amount was reportedly reduced to R1 500. Hawks members then provided operational money which was handed to the accused during the sting operation.

Police said the suspect was arrested shortly after receiving the money and was allegedly found in possession of state cash. The confiscated documents were also recovered during the arrest.

Malambe was granted bail of R5 000 and is expected to return to the White River Magistrate’s Court on 26 June 2026.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, warned officials against abusing their positions for personal gain.