Home Affairs scandal: Seven arrested amid backlog issues
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has landed in hot water following investigations. The Serious Corruption Investigation component of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation arrested two more suspects. Authorities arrested seven people during an ongoing operation in KwaZulu-Natal.
The matter is regarding issuing fraudulent passports to undocumented foreign nationals. The DHA is allegedly involved in corruption, fraud, and contraventions of the Identification Act and Immigration Act.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, said preliminary investigations found citizens offered the DHA employees between R300 to R1000 in exchange for the unlawful services. He said the unlawful activities happened when the offices were closed.
The crimes were prevalent at Home Affairs offices in Isipingo, Durban Central and Eshowe. The Serious Corruption Investigation is probing the matter.
Meanwhile, seven of the accused appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes court. Philani Mmeli Zaca, Fumani 'Guru' Hlayisi, Zime Anita Shange, Bongiwe Kubheka, Thandiwe Pretty Khwela, Lungisani Siyanda Mzobe, and Lindokuhle Bongumusa Mpanza made their appearance. The court postponed the case to Friday, 20 June, for legal aid and a formal bail application. The court also remanded the accused in custody.
National Prosecuting Authority Regional Spokesperson for KZN Natasha Ramkisson-Kara says the accused face numerous charges. They face charges of fraud, Contraventions of the Identification Act, 68 of 1997, diverse Contraventions of the Immigration Act, 13 of 2002 (as amended), and Corruption (accepting gratification).
The arrests follow allegations that at least a quarter of a million people are still waiting Home Affairs to process their late birth registration applications. The Children's Institute has filed a court application with the Western Cape High Court. This seeks to compel the DHA to act on the backlog.
The institute says the Home Affairs Department has affected the fundamental rights of children and their parents, and caregivers. As a result, it wants the court to order the DHA to develop a clear plan to deal with the backlog.
HOW CAN THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
Man sentenced to life imprisonment for rape
The Springs Magistrate Court has sentenced Thobimvula Ngeyane to life imprisonment over charges of rape. Ngeyane was charged after raping a 44-year-old woman at his home in Kwa-Thema, Gauteng in November 2022. The 40-year-old accused pretended to buy a cold drink at the victim's place and asked her to follow him to his home to collect money for the drink. Upon arrival at his home, Ngeyane raped the victim and stopped when his younger brother walked in on them. A case of rape was opened at SAPS Kwa-Thema and transferred to Springs Family violence, Child Protection Services and Sexual Offenses Unit. After thorough investigations, the accused was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. In other news, the Standerton Regional Court sentenced a serial rapist to 25 years' imprisonment for raping a woman in 2016. According to police, the victim was on her way to a hiking spot along Secunda Road (R546) near Charl Cilliers in May 2016 when she accepted a lift from an unknown man driving a white vehicle of an unidentified make and registration number. Initially, the suspect claimed he was heading in the same direction as the victim but later changed his route and claimed he needed to pick up others from a nearby farm. The suspect then suddenly stopped the vehicle near a dumping site and assaulted the victim. 'It is further alleged that he moved to the passenger seat, used a hat to cover the victim's nose, and physically assaulted her.' 'The suspect then tied her with a seatbelt, forcibly removed her clothing, and raped her multiple times without protection, despite her resistance and cries for help,' the police statement read. After the assault, the suspect wiped himself and the victim, removed the vehicle's registration plate and hid it under the driver's seat. He then threw the victim's belongings out of the vehicle before abandoning her in an isolated area. The victim hitchhiked to Charl Cilliers for help and was transferred to Standerton Police Station for further investigation and a medical examination. In a twist of events, the victim witnessed the suspect being escorted by prison wardens at a hospital and immediately alerted the police. The police identified the suspect and arrested him. He was found guilty of rape and sentenced to 25 years in prison. The sentence will run concurrently with other prison terms he is already serving, including housebreaking, two counts of assault, 10 counts of rape, kidnapping and three counts of theft. 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.
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
Gunshots fired at loose baboon in Northcliff
According Bhaai Cassim, the secretary for the Johannesburg Sub-District Community Police Board stated that the baboon is now at the Northcliff Eco Ridge area which he is likely to overnight. 'The OWL Rescue Centre has confirmed that a trap is being set up nearby, close to a residence that the baboon has been frequenting several times over the last 24 hours.' Read more: Baboon on the loose in Northcliff: Keep children and pets inside Cassim reported that two gunshots were heard in the vicinity, but the source of the shots could not be located. 'The incident was reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS), who responded to investigate but were unable to find the exact location of the shots.' Dirke Engelbrecht from Community Lead Animal Welfare (CLAW) emphasised the urgency of the situation, labeling the shooting as 'totally unnecessary.' He reassured the community that there is no aggression or threat from the baboon. 'There may be passing over of a property, but there is no indication of a threat or danger,' Engelbrecht explained. He cautioned that such actions are criminal offenses, and anyone found responsible could face prosecution under conservation and animal cruelty laws. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
'She is still alive': Joslin Smith hope renewed
The National Prosecuting Authority has renewed hope that little Joslin Smith is still alive despite being missing for over a year. The Salanha Bay girl's disappearance has sparked a national, and even international, rescue effort. Her mother, Kelly Smith, and two others – Jacquin 'Boeta' Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn – have since been convicted and sentenced for kidnapping and child trafficking. Speaking in a webinar this week, NPA prosecutor Zelda Swanepoel shared her beliefs about Joslin Smith. Earlier this month, Swapepoel helped the state to convict Joslin's mother, Kelly Smith, the latter's boyfriend, Jacquin 'Boeta' Appollis, and their pal, Steveno van Rhyn. A life sentence for trafficking and kidnapping was handed down by Western Cape High Court judge, Nathan Erasmus. She said of the search for the missing girl: 'We have done a comprehensive search in Saldanha of all the exhibits. 'Everything that was found in all of those dunes, all the bones, all the clothing, was analysed, there were no positive DNA results found on anything. She continued: 'I'm convinced that she is still alive. However, I don't know where she is. I can only hope we find her.' Will Kelly Smith ever reveal where her daughter Joslin is? The Saldanha Bay girl went missing on 19 February 2024. Images via YouTube screenshot: SABC Swanepoel added that Joslin's case was the first prosecution she had worked on where the missing child had not been found. She added that much of the case hung on the state witness Lourentia Lombaard. The NPA was also banking on the possibility that Joslin's mother would testify. 'We were always hopeful during the trial that the accused would come and testify in the main trial. The plan was to destroy their credibility and demonstrate the improbabilities in their versions. Yes, their decision to remain silent, especially Kelly, was very disappointing,' she added. Meanwhile, Joslin's mother Kelly Smith as well as Appollis and van Rhyn have filed their notices this week for leave to appeal their convictions and sentences. The NPA are also awaiting the fate of the state witness Lourentia Lombaard, whose verdict will be announced by Judge Erasmus at an appointed date. A 204 inquiry will determine if Lombaard will be granted indemnity based on her testimony. If the court does find that Lombaard did not testify truthfully, she could face prosecution for perjury and related charges. Lombaard previously stated under oath that Joslin's mother, Kelly Smith, allegedly sold her to a sangoma for R20 000. 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.
