The head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, has warned officials in positions of authority against abusing their powers for personal gain.

This follows the arrest of a senior immigration officer, Veli Malambe, who allegedly solicited a bribe from a foreign national street vendor.

The 33-year-old woman had allegedly been arrested for operating as a street vendor in South Africa without a valid work permit.

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The matter was reported to the White River Police Station before being transferred to the Hawks. A sting operation led to the arrest of Malambe (50) in White River on May 11.

“It is alleged that the immigration official confiscated the woman’s passport, as well as her 42-year-old South African employer’s ID.

The accused allegedly demanded R2 500 for the documents to be returned,” said Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi.

According to Nkosi, as the investigation progressed, the alleged bribe amount was reduced from R2 500 to R1 500.

“The Hawks provided operational money, which was then handed over to the accused as part of the operation. Following the payment, members of the Hawks apprehended the accused, who was found in possession of the photocopied state money,” said Nkosi.

He added that authorities also recovered the confiscated personal documents.

Malambe appeared in the White River Magistrate’s Court on corruption charges on the day of his arrest and was granted R5 000 bail. The matter was postponed to June 26 for further proceedings.

“As the Hawks in Mpumalanga, we will continue to execute our duties to protect vulnerable people from corrupt officials. We will do so without fear or favour to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book,” said Gerber.