A senior immigration officer stationed in White River has been arrested on corruption charges after allegedly demanding money from a foreign national in exchange for returning confiscated documents.
The officer, identified as Veli Malambe, was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation following a sting operation conducted on 11 May 2026.
According to Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, the case involved a 33-year-old foreign national woman who had allegedly been arrested for operating as a street vendor in South Africa without a valid work permit.
Police say the immigration official allegedly confiscated the woman’s passport, as well as the identity document of her 42-year-old South African employer, before allegedly demanding R2,500 to return the documents.
As investigations progressed, authorities say the alleged bribe demand was later reduced to R1,500.
The matter was initially reported to the White River Police Station before being transferred to the Hawks, who then organised a sting operation.
According to investigators, Hawks members provided state money for the operation, which was allegedly handed over to Malambe. Shortly afterwards, officers arrested him and allegedly found him in possession of photocopied trap money.
Authorities also reportedly recovered the confiscated personal documents during the operation.
Malambe appeared before the White River Magistrate’s Court on corruption charges on the day of his arrest and was granted R5,000 bail.
The matter has been postponed to 26 June 2026 for further proceedings.
Head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, warned officials against abusing positions of power for personal gain.
“We will continue to protect vulnerable people from corrupt officials and ensure perpetrators are brought to book,” Gerber said.
