Caught in the act: Mozambican men arrested for bribing BMA officials with R34,000

Two Mozambican men attempted to bribe Border Management Authority (BMA) officials with more than R34,000 cash after 46 fraudulent Mozambican passports were found concealed in their vehicle during a search.

The BMA Commissioner, Michael Masiapato, reported that two Mozambican men were intercepted by the BMA Law Enforcement component around 5pm on Thursday.

The men were travelling in a silver Volvo S40, entering the Republic of South Africa from Mozambique via the Kosi Bay port of entry.

During a search of the vehicle, Masiapato said members discovered 46 fraudulently stamped Mozambican passports hidden under the boot mat.

“The men were also found to be in possession of R34,890 in cash, which is suspected as the proceeds of illicit activities. 

“The suspects attempted to bribe BMA officials with the same amount of cash in an effort to evade arrest. When the bribery attempt failed, the suspects resisted arrest,” said Masiapato.

According to Masiapato, BMA officials acted decisively and brought the situation under control, resulting in both suspects being arrested and charged with fraud, resisting arrest, and bribery.

This interception reflects the BMA’s zero tolerance for corruption and facilitating of transnational organised crime, he stated.

Masiapato is operating from the ground, overseeing border operations, with the processing of people and goods continuing smoothly and unimpeded at all ports of entry across the country.

BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi said joint operations by Border Law Enforcement entities continue at the ports of entry, including the vulnerable segments of the borderline.

Mogotsi stated that these actions are being taken to safeguard border security and maintain operational integrity.

However, she stated that as enforcement actions are intensified in one area, BMA officials have noted a shift in movement patterns.

“BMA Border Guards intercepted 585 undocumented Zimbabwean nationals at Grobler Bridge port of entry to Botswana as they were moving without travel documents on the vulnerable segments of the borderline leaving South Africa on 18 December 2025,” said Mogotsi.

She said they were carrying goods that were supposed to be declared through the normal customs processes. In addition, about 142 Basotho nationals were also intercepted at Sani Pass as daily movements continue to increase.

“The BMA remains on high alert, committed to facilitating legitimate travel and trade while decisively preventing illegal activities and safeguarding South Africa’s borders,” she said.

Mogotsi announced that the operations at the Sendelingsdrift Port of Entry between South Africa and Namibia have been temporarily suspended due to increased water levels resulting from persistent rainfall.

“The conditions pose a safety risk to the cross-border movement of the pontoon and travellers between the Republic of South Africa and Namibia,” she said, adding that the BMA continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as conditions improve.

The commissioner is maintaining operational oversight during the festive period and will visit the Maseru Bridge Port of Entry on Friday, December 19.

Mogotsi said the port is already experiencing an increase in the movement of travellers on both arrivals and departures. Despite the rising volumes, the situation remains manageable, with adequate deployments in place and systems operating optimally.

Despite an increase in the number of arriving and departing travellers, the port remains manageable, according to Mogotsi. “The situation remains manageable, with adequate deployments in place and systems functioning optimally.”

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