Four Tzaneen former Home Affairs officials aged between 35 and 43 have been arrested for alleged fraud and corruption on Wednesday, 23 November 2022.
The suspects who were employed at the Department of Home Affairs based in Tzaneen allegedly colluded with the runners to recruit South African citizens to apply for passports.
It is further alleged that all the process of applying for a passport would be followed but when it comes to photoshoot, they would call the foreign nationals to the booth, as a result, the passports would contain the particulars of South African citizens but the photos would be of illegal foreign nationals.
The Home Affairs Counter Corruption and Security unit discovered these illegal activities in May this year and referred the matter to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation. During the investigations, it was revealed that the citizens whose particulars were used would be paid R1000-00.
The suspects who were employed as Administration Clerks were arrested in Tzaneen area during a sting operation between the Hawks and Home Affairs Counter Corruption and Security members. All the arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 25 November 2022.
The search for other outstanding suspects is still ongoing.