7 Home Affairs officials arrested for contravention of Immigration and Identification Acts
Seven Department of Home Affairs (DHA) employees have been arrested in connection with issuing fraudulent passports to undocumented foreigners.
This forms part of an ongoing operation run by the Serious Corruption Investigation component of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in Pretoria.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Protesters block Home Affairs office with coffins
The operation emanates from a complaint by the DHA relating to the issuance of fraudulent passports.
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale explained that allegations included corruption, fraud and contravention of the Identification Act and Immigration Act.
The crimes reportedly took place between February 2020 and July 2023, with the facilitation of fraudulent passports from DHA offices in Durban, specifically the Commercial Street branch.
'These unlawful activities took place outside regular business hours, including evenings, weekends and on public holidays when the DHA offices were officially closed,' said Mogale.
'Preliminary investigations by the DHA confirmed that local citizens [were] offered R300 to R1 000 in exchange for their co-operation, especially at DHA offices in Isipingo, Durban Central and eShowe, resulting in a case being opened for investigation.'
To date, 38 people have been arrested between September 2022 and now, seven of whom are DHA officials and 31 private citizens, explained Mogale.
He said 24 individuals – four of them DHA officials – were convicted and sentenced to a combined 310 years' imprisonment.
'The remaining five suspects were arrested by the Serious Corruption Investigation on Saturday in various parts of Durban and will face charges of corruption, fraud, contravention of the Immigration Act and contravention of the Identification Act,' he said.
Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 060 784 2695
Instagram – zululand_observer
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
12 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘Jobs for cash' scam unravels
A conman posing as an HR manager at Big 5 Hlabisa Municipality has been attempting to sell jobs for security guard roles. Big 5 Hlabisa Mayor Comfort Khumalo said the scammer has been 'recruiting' security guards for the municipality – demanding a 'cold drink' of R4 000 for a speedy application. The HR office investigated the matter and managed to track down the conman. 'The scammer insisted they have already filled 16 positions and are looking for four security officers to take up these positions urgently,' said Khumalo. 'The victim said he had not paid any money yet as he was still fundraising for it. 'Unfortunately, the scammer can sound very convincing to the vulnerable public.' He said they understand the 'dire need for jobs', but urged people to be cautious. Municipal jobs, Khumalo explained, are advertised formally in the newspapers. Nobody is telephoned privately to come for interviews, and no payment is ever required. No charges were laid against the alleged perpetrator as his victim had not paid over any funds. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer
The Citizen
15 hours ago
- The Citizen
Wanted Richards Bay armed robbery suspects nabbed
Three wanted suspects linked to multiple house and armed robbery cases were this week apprehended in Richards Bay. The intelligence-driven operation was coordinated by members of SAPS Crime Intelligence, Richards Bay Crime Prevention, and Hussar Public Safety Support Unit (PSSU), an initiative of aerial surveillance specialists. The operation resulted in the arrests of criminals who had left community members traumatised and endangered. Utilising drones, PSSU has been actively monitoring the Richards Bay area and working with CPFs for potential security threats and criminal activity since its launch in December, reinforcing its commitment to crime prevention and community security. The drone surveillance team played a key role by leading SAPS units throughout the operation, providing real-time aerial oversight and enhancing officer safety. The collaborative efforts of all stakeholders led to the recovery of stolen property and the neutralisation of a significant threat to community safety. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer
The Citizen
16 hours ago
- The Citizen
Romance scams leave Richards Bay victims heartbroken and broke
Online romance scams continue to leave a trail of devastation, with victims heartbroken, financially devastated, and the scars of psychological damage and betrayal. Masquerading as charming potential partners, fraudsters are exploiting dating apps, social media platforms, and messaging services to deceive unsuspecting victims. With several incidents surfacing in Richards Bay, in which senior women have been duped out of hundreds of thousands of rands, it has been an ongoing challenge for police. The SAPS issue ongoing warnings to members of the public, urging them to remain vigilant when forming online relationships. Authorities say these scams are not only growing in frequency, but also in sophistication. Many perpetrators spend weeks cultivating trust before fabricating emergencies, such as medical bills or travel costs, that tug at the victim's heart strings and wallets. Syndicates behind these criminal activities give victims the impression they are talking to one person when, in fact, it is a group of fraudsters working rostered shifts to create the illusion they are so in love with the victim that they are available 24/7. The victims are often older men, and they create the impression they are beautiful women interested in them. They hire models and sex workers for video calls, images, and in-person meet-ups, who are paid by the syndicate. Experts note that people seeking companionship online, particularly older people and widows, are among the most common victims. Many are targeted because of loneliness and a desire for genuine human connection, which scammers exploit by offering attention, affection, and emotional support. Police recommend: • Never sending money to someone you haven't met in person • Performing reverse image searches to check if profile photos are fake • Watching for red flags such as rushed declarations of love or requests for secrecy Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer
