Two Beitbridge security officials aged 31 and 35 were arrested on 26 January 2022 by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation members on allegations of corruption, theft of motor vehicle, contravention of Sec 88 of the Custom and Excise Act 91 of 1974 and defeating the ends of justice.
On 18 December 2021 a suspicious international truck driver Kholisani Nkomo was allegedly stopped by the South African Revenue Service officials at Beitbridge Port of Entry search point.
It is reported that the truck was impounded for a mandatory search but the driver promised the officials a gratification for the release of the truck.
While SARS officials were still busy with the process of impounding the truck, a Fidelity company security official allegedly approached and persuaded them to accept gratification but they refused.
The truck was eventually impounded and kept under the watch of another security official who allegedly abandoned his post which led to the disappearance of the truck.
After an investigation by the Hawks in collaboration with SARS Anti-Corruption members, warrants of arrest were authorised against the suspects and they are expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s court.
The truck driver, Nkomo was already arrested on 27 December 2021 at Beitbridge Port of Entry on his way back from Gauteng Province. He was remanded in custody until released on R3000-00 bail by the Musina Magistrate’s court on Wednesday, 26 January 2022.
