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'Arrest them!' shout bystanders as Hawks raid home affairs office

Source: News24, 29/09/2016

Maseru Bridge - The Hawks raided home affairs offices at a border post
with Lesotho on Thursday, arresting more than 10 officials for taking
bribes of up to R2 000 each.

In a joint operation with the Department of Home Affairs the Hawks
stormed into the offices at Maseru Bridge with onlookers shouting
"arrest them!"

"This message is very clear. It is either you shape up or you ship
out.

If you want to work then work with diligence," said
Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi from the scene.

The Hawks were planning to make more arrests later in the day. About
20 officials were believed to be involved in the crimes; ten of them
were at the office during the raid.

109 arrested so far
Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba told reporters that the department
had decided to work with the Hawks to "set a trap" for all the
officials involved.

The officials allegedly stamped expired passports for amounts ranging
from R150 up to R2 000. They also stand accused of stamping passports
that were dropped off at the offices by taxis.

Gigaba said 109 officials had been arrested so far this year.

"We are quite happy with the progress. While I am happy with the
arrests, I am also disheartened by the fact that we have quite a
number of officials who have been arrested," he said.

Six civilians were also arrested in connection with the same matter on
Wednesday

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