Two more suspects linked to Durban passport fraud syndicate arrested
Two more suspects have been nabbed in an ongoing corruption probe linked to the fraudulent issuing of South African passports at the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) has confirmed the arrest of two additional suspects after five suspects were initially arrested at the weekend in the Home Affairs-led law enforcement operation.
According to a media statement issued by the Hawks, the arrests of the two suspects were made on Monday as part of a larger investigation that began in September 2022.
The Hawks said the investigation was linked to the issuance of fraudulent passports to undocumented foreign nationals. The crimes reportedly took place between February 2020 and July 2023, at the DHA’s Durban Commercial Street and uMngeni Road branches.
Preliminary investigations found that South African citizens were allegedly paid between R300 and R1 000 to enable foreign nationals to fraudulently acquire passports. The bribes were paid at various DHA offices including Isipingo, Durban Central and Eshowe.
It is alleged that a group of South African citizens collaborated with DHA officials to facilitate the illegal transactions.
“These unlawful activities took place outside of regular business hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays, when the DHA offices were officially closed,” the Hawks statement added.
Since 2022, a total of 38 individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, including seven DHA officials and 31 private citizens. Of those arrested, “twenty-four individuals of whom four are DHA officials have been convicted and sentenced to a combined sentence of three hundred and ten years imprisonment.”
All seven suspects are expected to face charges of corruption, fraud, and violations of the Immigration and Identification Acts. They are scheduled to appear on Tuesday at the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.