Nine Bangladeshi nationals have been stopped at OR Tambo International Airport after allegedly attempting to enter South Africa using fraudulent travel documents.
According to authorities, the group consisted of three women and six men.
The three women reportedly presented Bangladeshi passports upon arrival. However, the six men allegedly presented Indian passports and initially claimed to be Indian nationals.
Officials became suspicious during the immigration process and subjected the travellers to further questioning. It is alleged that during interviews, the six men eventually admitted that they were Bangladeshi nationals and produced Bangladeshi passports.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged use of fraudulent documents and how the travellers obtained the passports used during their attempted entry into South Africa.
The incident forms part of ongoing efforts by immigration officials to combat document fraud, human trafficking and illegal migration through South Africa’s ports of entry.
Investigations are continuing.
