Two immigration officers arrested for ‘corruption’

TWO immigration officers based at Beitbridge border post were on Thursday afternoon arrested for alleged corruption after they were caught on camera “taking bribes” from travellers.

It is believed that the two were paid R300 each to tamper with passport stamps for two people who had overstayed in the country.

By the end of the day yesterday, Precious Ndomupei Dumbu and Tinashe Gotosa were still in police custody pending their appearance in court in due course.

The arrests bring to six the number of border officials, who have been arrested after the Government introduced secret cameras at Beitbridge border post.

A border official close to the case yesterday said Dumbu and Gotosa were picked up by the police soon after collecting the money from two travellers.

“We picked them up soon after they received the money which was concealed in two passports. Investigations are still in progress and they will soon appear in court,” said an official.

A fortnight ago two members of the police support unit were picked up by detectives from the border control unit for collecting money from illegal immigrants who were leaving and entering the country.

The official added that two Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) officials had also fallen victim to the cameras, when they were seen collecting money from smugglers two weeks ago.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Inspector Philisani Ndebele said he was yet to get information on the arrests of the immigration officers.

“I am yet to get full details on the matter,” he said.

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Ignatius Chombo said during a recent visit to Beitbridge border post that the Government had secured $600 000 that will be used in mobilising resources to curb illegal activities at the port of entry.

He said these were affecting the Government’s revenue collection capacity.

The Minister said the country was losing a lot of potential revenue through underhand activities at ports of entry.

“Lie detectors have also been acquired so that we curb corruption among border workers,” he said.

Dr Chombo said they were also working to erect a new border perimeter fence to replace the one which was heavily vandalised by criminals to gain access into the border.

“Mobile scanners and luggage scanners are now in use and we will do everything in our power in order to increase the revenue collection capacity,” he said.