BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato
The Border Management Authority (BMA) has intensified efforts to combat fraud and corruption within South Africa’s border and immigration sector through a multi-stakeholder awareness campaign focused on strengthening integrity, accountability, and cooperation among law enforcement agencies and key partners.
The campaign, held at the Oshoek Border Post, comes amid growing concerns over immigration-related challenges and the impact of corruption on national security, economic stability, and public trust.
The event brought together various stakeholders to address what the BMA described as a serious threat to the effectiveness of the country’s border management system.
A key focus of the gathering was the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum (BMIACF), established on April 1, 2023.
The forum was created to raise awareness within the border management environment, ensuring that officials understand the dangers and consequences of corruption and actively reject involvement in unethical practices.
BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the authority had adopted a proactive approach to preventing corruption rather than simply reacting after officials had been found guilty of wrongdoing.
“As the Border Management Authority operating at 25%, we knew that people were going to be retiring early due to corruption.
Instead of getting colleagues fired one after another based on being found involved in corrupt activities, why don’t we do things differently?
The only way we can do things differently is to have proactive interventions through strategic and targeted awareness to ensure that people understand the implications of corruption,” said Masiapato.
He explained that the establishment of the BMIACF, chaired by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), was aimed at strengthening collaboration between institutions and preventing corruption before it occurs.
The campaign highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation and collective responsibility in tackling corruption. Representatives from several sectors shared insights into the consequences of unethical conduct and the need for greater accountability.
Vusi Nkosi from Mpumalanga Correctional Services presented real-life examples of individuals convicted of corruption-related offences.
He introduced three people involved in such crimes, including two currently serving prison sentences and one who has since been released on parole. Two of the offenders were government employees, while the third was a community member who defrauded the state.
Nkosi said corruption places a significant financial burden on the country while also causing emotional and economic hardship for those involved and their families.
The Acting Head of the SIU and Chairperson of the BMIACF, Leonard Gaoretelelwe Lekgetho, stressed that corruption cannot be defeated by a single institution acting alone.
“No single entity can confront this challenge alone. We need each other to challenge the complexity and scale of corruption and fraud at our borders,” he said.
Lekgetho emphasised that collaboration must be the strongest weapon in the fight against corruption.
He called for ethical leadership, the protection of whistleblowers, stronger oversight mechanisms, and a shared commitment among all stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of South Africa’s borders.
He described the partnership between the SIU, BMA, Department of Home Affairs, Eswatini Anti-Corruption Unit, law enforcement agencies, SANParks, municipalities, and private sector stakeholders as a significant step forward in strengthening border governance.
Lekgetho reaffirmed the SIU’s commitment to investigating corruption without fear or favour, supporting reforms, strengthening governance systems, reducing vulnerabilities, and ensuring accountability for those involved in wrongdoing.
The campaign delivered a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated.
“By protecting our borders, we are not only securing entry points we are protecting the future of our nation,” Lekgetho said.
He concluded by describing the fight against corruption as a marathon that requires endurance, unity, and long-term commitment.
“Let us run this race together to bring integrity to our borders,” he said.
