Two immigration officers and an assistant director from Department of Home Affairs in Ermelo were arrested on Tuesday, 9 November. The trio allegedly demanded money from foreign national shop owners in Ermelo, as from January 2021, claiming that they are illegally in the country. The complainant reported the matter to the SAPS, and an investigation was launched by the Anti Corruption Unit. An operation was conducted, where the three suspects were arrested after receiving trap money, and it was found in possession of the suspects.

The three suspects made their first appearance before the Magistrate's Court in Ermelo on Wednesday, 11 November on the charge of corruption. The Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has been adamant that the SAPS will do everything in their power to root out corruption in the province. “No one is above the law. Anyone found to be in breach of the law will be arrested irrespective of the position he or she holds. Mpumalanga must be a crime free province;” she said, while applauded the sterling work by the SAPS. The three suspects, Khulekani Innocent Zulu (27), Yolande Pretty Ngomane (39) and Mavis Minah Mthetwa (48) appeared before the court, and the case had been postponed to 10 December 2021. The suspects were granted bail of R2500 each.