On 17 March 2023, two suspects aged 35 and 51 were arrested by the Botshabelo local police for illegal adoption and fraud. It is alleged that two females, a Lesotho national and a South African went to Botshabelo Home Affairs for late registration applications for two children, aged five and 15. An official from Home Affairs who was assisting them became suspicious and immediately notified the police.
A preliminary investigation was conducted and it was discovered that there is an official from the Department of Health who allegedly recruits foreign nationals to illegally adopt children. The recruited woman would identify children and negotiate with their parents to give consent in exchange for a money reward should they agree. She would take the children to a Home Affairs official who will register them. The children would later be registered for SASSA grants and the suspects would share the money.
The matter was referred to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Bloemfontein for further investigation. Two other suspects aged 29 and 59, believed to be the parents of the children in question were also arrested on Saturday, 18 March 2023. More arrests are imminent.
The four suspects will appear before Botshabelo Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 20 March 2023 on charges of illegal adoption and fraud.
