LIMPOPO – The Musina Magistrate’s Court on Thursday (January 27) remanded in custody two border officials who were arrested on allegations of corruptions and other charges.
The officials, who are attached to the Beitbridge border post, were arrested on January 26 just over a month after an impounded truck disappeared from the port of entry.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke explained that on December 18, 2021, the said truck was stopped by the South African Revenue Service officials at Beitbridge Port of Entry search point.
“The truck was impounded for a mandatory search and the driver reportedly offered the officials a bribe for the release of the truck.
“While SARS officials were still busy with the process of impounding the truck, an official from a local security service allegedly approached them and ‘tried to persuade them to accept the bribe’. The SARS officials refused and the truck was eventually impounded and kept under the watch of another security official.”
This official then abandoned his post which led to the disappearance of the truck,” he added.
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An investigation conducted by the Hawks in collaboration with SARS Anti-Corruption members was launched and warrants of arrest were authorised against the suspects.
The officials face charges of corruption, theft of motor vehicles, contravention of Sec 88 of the Custom and Excise Act 91 of 1974 and defeating the ends of justice.
The duo are expected back in court on February 2 for formal bail application.
Maluleke added that the driver of the truck was arrested at the border on December 27, 2021 while he was crossing over to Zimbabwe. He is currently out on R3 000 bail and is expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s court soon.
