NORTHERN CAPE – Thapelo Mogashoa (36), an immigration officer attached to the offices of the Department of Home Affairs in Postmasburg made a brief appearance today at Postmasburg Magistrate Court for alleged corruption.
Mogashoa was arrested earlier today by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation team facing charges of contravening the prevention and combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004.
It is alleged that during June 2019, the complainant was arrested with other illegal immigrants due to invalid documents and he was later released after it was established that his documents were correct. The other illegal immigrants were kept in custody as they awaited judgement from Postmasburg Magistrate court. Upon judgement, they were given fines of R600.00 each and were set to be deported after payment unless they rectify their documents.
It is further alleged that the immigration officer demanded a combined gratification of R7 500 from two of the immigrants in order to release them before deportation. He also reportedly approached an employer of the complainant, accused him of owing his employee an undisclosed amount of money and threatened to arrest him. The employer denied the allegations and thereafter the suspect demanded R3 000 gratification to repair his vehicle.
The matter was reported to the Hawks for investigations and the immigration officer was arrested.
He was later released on R1 000 bail upon his first court appearance and the case was postponed to the 5 March 2021 for further investigation.

Source: South African Police Service