Pretoria- Eighteen police officers and two home affairs officials were arrested by the Hawks on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in the corruption at the Kopfontein Border Post.
The officials allegedly accepted, agreed or offered to accept gratifications from persons crossing the border in order for them to bypass the standard procedure at the border between June 2014 and March this year, Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said.
The suspects’ shenanigans were revealed during a Crime Intelligence operation in the area.
“These officials were found to be allowing persons and vehicles to enter and leave the country unsearched and without demanding to see necessary documentations,” Mulaudzi said.
The head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Mthandazo Ntlemeza, has congratulated the team and warned that this operation is one of many to be effected countrywide.
“What occurred cannot be celebrated. It is an embarrassment to the country, the SAPS, Home Affairs and to the families of the suspects. The arrests should also come as a warning to all other corrupt members and officials working at all ports of entry that we coming for you as well,” said Ntlemeza.
Ntlemeza warned that they would not rest until the country is rid of forms of corruption.
The suspects are due to appear before the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court.-SAnews.gov.za
