Beitbridge four to apply for bail

Four of the 15 officials at Beitbridge border post who were arrested last Thursday on charges of fraud and corruption remained in custody after their court appearance last Friday and will apply for bail in the Musina Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (Friday).
Limpopo Hawks Spokesperson Matimba Maluleke said the 15 accused were arrested last Thursday and appeared in court on Friday where eleven of them were granted R3 000 bail each.
The accused out on bail are Elvis Mavhungu (Deputy Director at Home Affairs), Akisoni Phiri (businessperson), Edward Pesula (advocate), Wishbone Mlango (Home Affairs inspector), Eddy Tshivhase (immigrant officer), Kgokoa Kekana (Police officer), Samuel Moleya (former Police admin clerk), Isaiah Makamola (customs officials), David Bezeke (clearing agent), Emmanuel Tshinkango (clearing agent) and Lucas Tharata (clearing agent).
Theodore Maoka (teacher at Musina Secondary School), Eugene Khoza (Musina Municipality Councillor), Lewellyn Marais (Home Affairs) and Philip Molea (clearing agent) are still in custody and will appear again tomorrow (Friday).
Those out on bail were given different court dates varying from 27 June to 4 July, for their next appearance. The arrests follow six months of intense investigation by the Hawks.
National Hawks Spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi in a press release said Mavhungu allegedly demanded and received two pairs of shoes worth R3 000 each for stamping a brand new passport of a foreign national without any supporting documentation.
Pesula, the advocate reportedly demanded and received R23 000 for issuing business visas to foreign nationals, while clearing agents were arrested for demanding and receiving between R5 000 and R9 000 for issuing fraudulent South African Revenue Services (Sars) Goods Export Permits.
Maoka allegedly received R42 000 from illegal immigrants after he allegedly pasted temporary residence permits, and stamped departure and entry stamps on twenty one passports.
Councillor Khoza allegedly received R7 200 for issuing false immigration stamps to foreign nationals who either overstayed or needed more days to stay in the country and reportedly owns a clearing agency.
The bail conditions included that Home Affairs employees, the SARS official and Police officer being barred from visiting their work place at Beitbridge.

Story: RC Myburgh
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