19 officials in court for allegedly aiding smugglers
The Hawks have arrested 16 border police officials and three home affairs officials for allegedly assisting smugglers at the Kopfontein border between South Africa and Botswana.
The suspects were arrested while on duty.
Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the suspects were linked to a combined 54 charges of fraud and corruption.
Mulaudzi said the officers were linked to the type of corruption that saw smugglers and counterfeit cigarettes enter the country.
He said the officers allegedly searched motorists at the border and upon finding illegal goods, demanded money instead of applying the law. More arrests were imminent, he said.
Mulaudzi said after they had received a tip off, the suspected officers were monitored.
He said it is not yet clear how much money the officers had allegedly accrued through corrupt practices.
They are expected to appear in the Zeerust Magistrate's Court today.
(File photo: Gallo Images)