Home Affairs immigration officer gets jail time for corruption at Vioolsdrift border

In the Northern Cape, the Springbok Regional court convicted and sentenced Readwell Koko, a Home Affairs immigration officer, for his participation in corruption.

Home Affairs immigration officer nabbed for corruption

There are many Readwell Koko’s out there but the road to rooting out corruption at our ports of entry starts with those who have been caught.

The most crucial line of defence against illegal activity entering our borders, whether it be drugs or undocumented aliens, is the responsibility of Home Affairs officials.

According to police spokesperson, Brig M Ramatseba, an investigation was launched into Koko after it was noticed that he was operating a shoddy business at the Vioolsdrift Port of Entry. which borders Namibia.

An undercover operation was launched by the Crime Intelligence unit. The main objective was to catch Koko in the act of flouting processes and allowing undocumented aliens into South Africa.

Months went by with Koko being recorded as he went about his corrupt business, until he was finally placed under arrest and charged with corruption and contravening the Immigration Act.

Here’s how much jail time he received

After months of deliberation in court, Koko was found guilty on both counts. It was established that he has personally benefitted from allowing illegal goods and undocumented aliens into South Africa, a great disservice for someone in his position.

As a result, Koko was sentenced to a maximum of two years for corruption, with the option of forking out a fine totalling R30 000.

For his guilt in contravening the Immigration Act, the disgraced Home Affairs officer was handed an additional three years imprisonment, which was suspended for a period of five years.

The work of the undercover operation, led by the Crime Intelligence unit, was applauded by Northern Cape’s top cop, Major General Joey Kers, who worked tirelessly to uncover the scale of corruption that takes place at our borders.