Businessman claiming Gaza roots deported from South Africa for fraud
Image: File
A businessman claiming to have Gaza, Palestine roots has left South Africa after failing to stop the Department of Home Affairs' bid to deport him after finding he had been using a fraudulent name.
Manar Alnajjar or 'Frederik van Wyk' had been detained at the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Mogale City after being arrested in January this year at OR Tambo International Airport on his return from a business trip in Dubai.
He was charged with possession of a fraudulent South African identity document and passport.
Alnajjar appeared before the Nigel Magistrate's Court and pleaded guilty to contravening the Immigration Act and fraud in April and sentenced to three months direct imprisonment for fraud and R120,000 for being in the country illegally.
The court suspended R100,000 of the amount for three years on condition that he is not found guilty of a similar offence. After completing his sentence, Alnajjar was transferred to the Lindela Repatriation Centre for deportation.
In his defence, he claimed he first entered the country in 2007 using a visitor's visa and subsequently obtained a general work visa in February 2011.
Alnajjar stated that he aspired to be a permanent South Africa citizen and engaged the services of an immigration agent.
Afterwards, they visited the offices of the Home Affairs in Nigel, which then furnished him with the South African ID containing his photograph and under the name 'Frederik van Wyk'.
It was during his stay at the Lindela Repatriation Centre in July that Alnajjar launched an urgent application to the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg to force Home Affairs director-general Livhuwani Makhode, minister Dr. Leon Schreiber and the head of the centre to release him to legalise his status in the country.
Alnajjar told the court that he previously held a Jordanian passport and that his family is originally from Gaza but after the 1967 Six-Day War between Israel and its Arab neighbours, his family along with others were forced to relocate to Jordan.
During his time in South Africa, he knowingly used the fraudulent document and used it to apply for a passport.
Alnajjar added that he had a life partner who is a Ukrainian citizen, also a permanent resident and holder of a permanent South African non-citizen document, and together they had a daughter, who is 11 months old.
In 2013, he married a Bulgarian citizen but divorced her in 2022. He also insisted that he is a successful businessman and a shareholder of a company operating in the recycling space in and outside South Africa and that he employed about ten people.
Alnajjar said the company had been steadily expanding until he was arrested earlier this year.
However, Acting Judge Patrick Malungana said the court could not countenance the perpetuation of illegal activities despite showing remorse by pleading guilty for fraud after he was arrested in possession of those fraudulent documents.
'The applicant (Alnajjar) has known all along of his fraudulent identity document. It is only when the law caught up with him that he pleaded guilty, and has some sort of expectation for the law to prevent his deportation because he has some family and business interests in the country,' the acting judge said, explaining his decision to dismiss the urgent application last week.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
5 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Minister Macpherson to address media as exposé of IDT officials' bribery bid reverberates across SA
Minister of Public Works Dean Macpherson is expected to respond to the details of an explosive exposé by Daily Maverick of an attempted bribery of one of its investigative journalists by the suspended Independent Development Trust CEO and her spokesperson. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has called for suspended Independent Development Trust (IDT) CEO Tebogo Malaka and her spokesperson Phasha Makgolane to face the law 'if they are implicated in bribery'. Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works Dean Macpherson is expected to address the media on Thursday following an explosive exposé by Daily Maverick of an attempted bribery of one of its investigative journalists by the two IDT officials. On Tuesday, Daily Maverick carried video footage and recordings of this blatant attempt to bribe its journalist, Pieter-Louis Myburgh. Suspended IDT CEO Malaka and spokesperson Makgolane attempted to pay Daily Maverick investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh R60,000 in cash over the weekend to suppress an investigation into Malaka's personal dealings and questionable IDT contracts. The IDT, a very important, if lesser known, government body, spends upwards of R4-billion each year on social infrastructure projects, such as building schools and clinics, and falls under the Ministry of Public Works. Macpherson last week released a forensic report into a R836-million oxygen tender awarded to a ghost company that was first exposed by Daily Maverick. The report recommended that Malaka be suspended. Malaka was placed on precautionary suspension on Friday. Now Macpherson's remarks at Wednesday's briefing are expected to set the tone for the government's broader response. The attempted bribe, which took place during a meeting in Stellenbosch, was captured on camera. Myburgh photographed the cash, delivered in a white Dior shopping bag, and recorded video and audio of the exchange. Makgolane also sweetened the offer with promises of R100,000 in monthly payments and influence over IDT tenders. In a statement on the briefing, his department confirmed that Macpherson would respond directly to the 'serious allegations by Daily Maverick that Malaka sought to bribe journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh'. Posting to social platform X yesterday morning, Macpherson said he planned to consult with the IDT board later in the day. The statement also warned that the matter appeared to be part of 'what is now likely a paid-for public campaign aimed at discrediting [Macpherson's] efforts to bring stability and good governance to the entity'. It suggests deeper political and institutional tensions may be at play, especially as Macpherson has been spearheading reform efforts at the IDT. On 22 January, the EFF accused Macpherson of 'brazen and corrupt interference' in IDT affairs, citing an incident where he allegedly instructed staff to process a questionable payment to a construction company. The party claimed that Macpherson had unfairly targeted Malaka and used the PSA oxygen plant tender as a pretext for political interference. EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini opened a criminal case of corruption against the minister on 22 January 2025. IDT promises full response While remaining tight-lipped on the details, IDT spokesperson Lerato Modisana said the IDT acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations. The IDT board convened on Wednesday, 6 August, to 'deliberate comprehensively on these matters'. However, Modisana said the IDT was not at this stage in a position to respond to specific media enquiries. The organisation pledged to uphold 'transparency, accountability and good governance' and promised that 'a detailed response will be provided in due course, once the board has fully considered all the relevant facts and implications'. What everyone wants to know Daily Maverick's exposé has garnered significant attention from other media, including radio broadcasts. Readers applauded Myburgh's efforts, while some wondered at the sheer audacity of the brazen bribery attempt. Reader Eddie Maulson summed it up: 'One is gobsmacked at the lack of thought that went into this outrageous attempt at bribery, not to mention the effrontery that these individuals show in their lamentable assumption that they could bribe a man of PLM's integrity in such a crass manner.' A history of red flags Malaka was already under scrutiny, having been placed on precautionary suspension days before the footage emerged on 1 August 2025, following the release of a PwC forensic report into the R836-million PSA oxygen plant project. That report, spurred by Daily Maverick investigations in October 2024, recommended disciplinary action for Malaka, citing her failure to prevent or address serious violations in the project's procurement. The IDT has long struggled with governance and accountability, facing repeated criticism over failed projects and procurement lapses, eroding public confidence in the agency's leadership. DM
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
South Africa faces economic repercussions from new US tariffs
The Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition has expressed deep concern over the impending 30% import tariff that the United States plans to impose on certain South African exports, effective from August 7. Image: IOL Graphics/Se-Anne Rall The Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition has expressed deep concern over the impending 30% import tariff that the United States plans to impose on certain South African exports, effective from August 7. This significant development has raised red flags about the potential repercussions for key sectors of the South African economy. During a recent meeting in June, the committee engaged with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to assess the state of South Africa's trading relationship with the US, as well as with other international partners. The newly announced US tariffs, which will affect multiple countries alongside South Africa, have serious implications for strategic sectors such as automotive, agriculture—particularly citrus—and steel, all integral to South Africa's economic fabric and job market. Historically, South Africa has enjoyed a robust trade relationship with the United States, which stands as the country's second-largest trading partner. In 2024, South African exports to the US accounted for approximately 8% of the nation's total global exports, valued at around R156.6 billion. This export composition is telling, with around 43% comprising manufactured products, predominantly autos and vehicle components, alongside mining commodities (50%) and agricultural goods (7%). Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ As the largest importer of US goods in sub-Saharan Africa, the South African economy has been bolstered by mutual trade benefits, generating a trade surplus with imports valued at about R120.2 billion in 2024. This partnership has fostered an environment where over 600 US companies, including prominent names like Ford, Coca-Cola, and Google, operate in South Africa, contributing to job creation on both sides: 132,000 jobs in South Africa and 7,000 in the US from South African corporations. In light of the new tariffs, the committee has raised alarms regarding the direct impact on the competitiveness of South African exports. The additional tariff will likely inflate prices for South African goods in the US market, potentially eroding demand and disrupting established value chains. Such changes could lead to declines in local production and significant job losses if alternative markets cannot be secured. There is also concern over how the tariffs may alter the current composition of South African exports. With approximately 43% of South African goods destined for the US being manufactured products, any reductions in this sector could pose severe challenges, especially when compared to the 38.7% of global exports that consist of manufactured goods. To mitigate these risks, South Africa recently introduced the 'Butterfly Strategy,' aimed at fostering industrialisation and diversifying trade partnerships. Key components of this strategy include a focus on product and market diversification, enhanced trade negotiations, and streamlined protocols to adapt to global challenges. The committee, alongside the government, urges renewed negotiations with the US, emphasising the crucial need for a viable trade and investment agreement to tackle ongoing issues.
The South African
7 hours ago
- The South African
Afrikaner refugee reveals car wash job: 'Be prepared to work!'
Afrikaner 'refugee' Errol Langton has advised South Africans hoping to resettle in the US to accept low-paying jobs. He's also warned them not to have unrealistic expectations about their new lives abroad. The IT business owner and part-time 'leafy green farmer' swapped his life in Johannesburg to live in Birmingham, Alabama. He now works at a local car wash. Langton was amongst the first group of white South Africans who applied for the refugee resettlement programme. In February, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order, granting refuge to Afrikaners or 'minorities', over his claims of 'racial discrimination' and 'persecution' in South Africa. Speaking in an interview with US intelligence expert Chris Wyatt, Errol Langton revealed that he had taken a job at a local car wash in Birmingham. Langton, who owned an IT business in South Africa, advised fellow refugee applicants to 'come over and be prepared to work.' He said, 'Take what you can get now and work on what you want later. Don't get here and want the $50-an-hour job; take the $15-an-hour job so that you can get on your feet. 'Take the low-paying job to start with and then build to what you want. I promise you, in a year's time, you will be there.' Errol Langton stated that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had given resettled refugees a 'starter loan' and aid to get on their feet. Several of his family members had already secured jobs just days into their stay, he claimed. He continued: 'If you play the victim card, you will not fit in. You will not be a part of society. 'It's not discrediting what has happened to you. If you get that out of your system and show that you've taken the opportunity that you've been given, and you go work hard on it, you can open any door. The opportunities are endless.' He also warned South African 'refugees' not to expect the same lifestyle in the US either. He said, 'There is nobody to clean up after you. If you make a mess, you clean it up. 'I don't care if you're 18 or 80, if you've got to do something, you do it. You can pay someone else to do it, but that is going to cost you'. According to various immigration and recruitment agencies, South African migrants flock to countries like Canada, Australia, the UK, the US, and New Zealand. These first-world countries offer the prospects of high living standards, thriving economies and job markets, and communities of South African expats. For immigrants, or refugees, there is a high demand for skilled labour in sectors like engineering, construction, IT, healthcare, finance, and education. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
