South Africa’s Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum is making strides tackling corruption in the country’s immigration and border management system.
This emerged during the forum’s high-level quarterly meeting on Monday led by Special Investigating Unit (SIU) Head, Andy Mothibi, and Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner, Michael Masiapato, as well as representatives from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).
The forum, which was launched in March, provides a critical platform for collaboration between key stakeholders in law enforcement, civil society, government, and business. Its mission is to eradicate corruption and related illicit activities within the sector.
During the meeting the forum reviewed the status of ongoing investigations and corruption prevention strategies. It received a progress report on fraud and corruption investigations related to the issue of permanent residence permits, corporate visas, business visas, critical/exceptional skills work visas, and study, retired persons and work visas.
"The forum noted the recommendations that have been made to revoke all irregularly awarded visas and deportation of persons involved, as they have violated the South African laws,” the SIU said in a statement.
Criminal referrals have been submitted to the NPA for prosecution, including the case of Kudakwashe Mpofu "who is going through criminal prosecution for charges of fraudulently acquiring visas".
Mpofu allegedly used a fake permanent residence permit to land a top government job as Asset Manager at the North West Development Corporation’s Head Office in Mafikeng. He was arrested in January 2025 and remains in custody awaiting his trial in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court.
The abuse of Traffic Register Numbers (TRNs), issued under the NRTA, 1996, was also raised.
"The preliminary investigations findings in the SIU Proclamation 191 of 2024 have revealed the abuse and irregularities in the issuing of TRNs, which in the main involve undocumented immigrants in South Africa,” the SIU said.
The forum resolved to intensify these investigations.
Mothibi said the forum's work was part of an intensified, multi-agency effort to combat corruption, ensuring transparency and accountability in immigration processes.
“This collaboration is vital to safeguarding South Africa's borders and maintaining the integrity of our immigration system,” he said.
Masiapato reaffirmed the BMA's commitment to working with law enforcement partners to detect and disrupt fraudulent activities.
“Corruption at our borders undermines national security and economic stability. Through this forum, we are closing loopholes and holding perpetrators accountable.”
The forum also identified the spread of foot and mouth disease as an emerging risk, prompting authorities to step up their focus on strengthening border controls to prevent the entry of contaminated livestock and products.
