BMA denies bribery claims at Lebombo Border Post

Lebombo Border Post between SA and Mozambique.

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has denied claims that immigration officers are accepting bribes at the Lebombo Border post in Komatipoort, Mpumalanga.

Some travelers claim that they pay up to R150 to get first preference to be processed. They say that they wait for hours if they don’t pay the money.

BMA Commissioner Mike Masiapato says some travelers are the ones offering such bribes.

[Media Interview] The Commissioner of @TheBMA_SA, Dr Michael Masiapato explains more about the use of technology at Ports. This includes the use of the drones and body cameras to assist with corruption and managing the movement of BMA officials. pic.twitter.com/BXW7qWgB1Q

— The Border Management Authority SA (@TheBMA_SA) December 24, 2025

Masiapato says such acts are illegal and action will be taken against officials who might be involved.

“Some of the colleagues that came with us from Pretoria for instance assisting as queue management have been approached by individuals who say let me give you R100, please take me to the front and they literally reject that. Interims of ordinary officials that are doing work here are wearing body cameras meaning that in the control room they able to follow the activities they do even the interaction that they have with the travelers. Therefore, should they be accepting any bribe they would definitely dealt with very very decisively.”

There are long queues at the Lebombo Border Post as holidaymakers and Mozambican citizens make their way home. BMA says it is processing more than 25 000 people daily.
Picture and video by Nhlanhla Jele pic.twitter.com/OJe2dF8IS4

— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 23, 2025