More arrests likely over
corruption, fraud and theft,
writes Leonard Neill
SEVEN PEOPLE, including clearing agents, police and customs officers have been arrested at Beit Bridge border post on charges of corruption, fraud and theft involving more than R7 million.
A further dozen people and three companies are under investigation at present with more arrests likely in the near future according to Detective Services acting divisional commissioner Johan de Beer who is heading the investigation.
Charges laid against the arrested persons involve bribery of officials, falsification of export documents, smuggling of goods meant for export to South Africa and vehicle theft.
The 'swoop' comes at the end of a year-long investigation at the border where police and officials of the National Inter-Departmental Structure for Border Control (NIDS) have worked closely following numerous allegations of fraudulent dealings.
This is only the tip of the iceberg, says NIDS executive director Brian van Niekerk. Investigations are going on at a number of border posts at present and a great deal will be happening in the next few weeks.
What has happened at Beit Bridge is the result of what has been a well organised investigation by the authorities, and what we have described as a thorough analytical process in which every operation has been closely monitored and facts and figures scrutinised before any move has been made against the persons arrested.
We will have to await the court proceedings before more can be said, but there has been a large amount of round-tripping, in which VAT regulations have been bypassed, as well as a good deal of straightforward theft.
It isn't just the little operators, either, who are under investigation. Some of the bigger, established operators there are under the microscope.
According to De Beer officials at the border post in all government sectors of customs, immigration and police, as well as private citizens and companies are involved.
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