South Africa steps up crackdown on corruption at borders, immigration system

South Africa is stepping up efforts to root out corruption and fraud at its borders and ports of entry, with officials implicated in misconduct facing disciplinary action, dismissal and criminal charges, an official said Friday.



The Border Management Authority (BMA) handled 57 labor and disciplinary cases involving breaches of internal controls, fraud, corruption and other misconduct in the last quarter, while 33 cases remain under disciplinary proceedings, BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato said during a quarterly anti-corruption campaign at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.



The campaign brought together government and law-enforcement bodies including the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the Department of Home Affairs and the National Prosecuting Authority.



Masiapato said corruption at ports of entry could involve border guards, immigration and customs officials, port operators and others exercising discretionary powers.