TWO BMA OFFICIALS IN COURT OVER ALLEGED FRAUD AND CORRUPTION AT EMAHLATHINI BORDER GATE

Two Border Management Authority (BMA) officials have appeared before the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court following their arrest in connection with alleged corruption, fraud and violations of the Immigration Act at the Emahlathini Border Gate.

The officials, identified as Msebenzi Abednigo Mgobo and Mbuso Mnisi, were arrested on Monday, 2 November 2026, during an operation led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Organised Crime Investigation Unit.

According to police, the investigation began in July 2026 after information emerged about alleged corrupt activities involving officials stationed at the border gate. The allegations included the unlawful stamping of expired passports belonging to foreign nationals.

Preliminary investigations reportedly established that one of the suspects allegedly collected passports from individuals in Gauteng and transported them to the border post, where they were stamped in exchange for payments.

Following months of investigation, police conducted a takedown operation that resulted in the arrest of the two officials. A third suspect, who had also been identified during the investigation, has since died.

The case was registered at Piet Retief Police Station, with the accused facing charges of corruption, fraud and contravention of the Immigration Act.

The two suspects appeared in court on Tuesday and were remanded in custody until 10 November 2026, when they are expected to return for a formal bail application.

Mpumalanga Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise, reaffirmed the SAPS's commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring that individuals who compromise the integrity of law enforcement and border management processes are brought to justice.