BMA fires 17 officials in corruption crackdown
The Border Management Authority says 17 officials were dismissed after 57 disciplinary cases involving fraud, corruption, internal-control breaches and other misconduct were handled in the past quarter.
Seventeen officials from the Border Management Authority (BMA) have been terminated due to misconduct involving fraud, corruption, and other internal control breaches. This marks a crackdown by South Africa on corruption at its borders and ports. BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato stated the agency's zero-tolerance stance towards fraud, corruption, and misconduct, extending enforcement efforts to airports and seaports.
The BMA Commissioner emphasized that corruption affects all ports of entry and requires a coordinated response from various government agencies. During the past quarter, 57 labor-relations and disciplinary cases involving internal-control breaches, fraud, corruption, and misconduct were addressed by the BMA. Of these, 17 resulted in dismissals, with two receiving final warnings and one being suspended without pay.
Two officials were acquitted due to lack of evidence, while 33 cases are still pending disciplinary action. Most of the unresolved cases involve employees at OR Tambo International Airport. Masiapato expressed pain in signing suspension or dismissal letters, as they affect both the official and their family.
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