By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Border Management Authority (BMA) have nabbed five Lesotho nationals in possession of a large amount of money concealed in black plastic bags.
BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi says a vehicle was stopped as part of routine checks.
“Five Lesotho nationals were in the vehicle and four were found to be previously declared undesirable and had been banned from entering the country in terms of the Immigration Act.
“The above-mentioned persons were searched and found to be in possession of concealed South African currency worth R1 480 050.”
“The four, who did not have the requisite documents, were arrested for being in South Africa illegally and a case was opened.
“The money which was counted, and underwent counterfeit verifications, was then deposited into the state bank account pending further investigations on the matter,” said Mogotsi.
Meanwhile the commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, has announced that port health officials have developed an outbreak preparedness plan to deal with Monkeypox or Mpox.
In response to the 16 cases that have been confirmed by the National Department of Health, the BMA is implementing screening processes for travellers entering the country at all ports of entry.
Masiapato said that at the airports, the first phase of screening occurs when the conveyance operator, which is the captain of the aircraft, and crew members provide a general declaration of health.
This is a document required to be completed by all conveyance operators where they declare that no travellers have reported or were found to be ill on board. This is in terms of International Health Regulations.
The commissioner said the process that follows is where travellers are subjected to thermal screening for checking temperature.
This screening of temperature is implemented at land and seaports as well. Should the traveller present with an elevated temperature, such traveller will be isolated and assisted with further screening.