Members of the police’s organized crime unit nabbed two Home Affairs officials at Ha-Magau village last Tuesday, for allegedly soliciting a huge bribe from an Indian man who wanted a marriage certificate.

Senior immigration officer at Makhado Home Affairs Mr Madagala Matumba (62) and his junior immigration officer, Mr Lutendo Nematshavhawe (35), allegedly solicited a R6 000 bribe to issue a marriage certificate for the Indian man.

According to the police, the man negotiated the amount until it was reduced to R2 000. Police spokesperson Supt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi said that the man paid the two officials half of the demanded amount.

The official’s second substantial step to complete the crime was foiled by the organized crime unit after the Indian man developed a change of heart and alerted the police.

Both Matumba and Nematshavhawe were granted bail of R1 000 during their first court appearance in the Tshilwavhusiku magistrate’s court last Wednesday.

Mushavhanamadi said that the two are faced with a charge of corruption.

Home Affairs’ communication facilitator in Limpopo Province, Mr Sam Mamoremi, said that the department is still currently busy formalising the charges against the two officials. He further claimed that both Matumba and Nematshavhawe will be charged before the end of this week.

The immigration officers are expected to appear in the Tshilwavhusiku magistrate’s court on March 29.