Three More Arrested As Home Affairs Passport Fraud Cases Reach 44

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has announced three more arrests linked to passport photo-swapping fraud, bringing the total number of people arrested in connection with corruption within the department since July 2024 to 44.

The latest suspects include two former Home Affairs officials and a member of the public. They are accused of involvement in fraudulent passport processing at the Bothaville Home Affairs office in the Free State in 2023.

According to the department, the case centres on the fraudulent processing of ten passport applications through a photo-swapping scheme that exploited weaknesses in outdated systems. The suspects appeared before the Bothaville Magistrate’s Court on October 27, 2026, and the matter was postponed to January 20, 2027.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber welcomed the arrests, saying they demonstrated that people who exploited weaknesses in government systems would be held accountable.

“These arrests send a clear message that those who exploited weaknesses in Home Affairs’ systems will be held accountable,” Schreiber said.

The department said the arrests followed an investigation conducted by its Counter Corruption Unit in collaboration with the Hawks. The case forms part of wider efforts to address corruption and strengthen controls around the issuing of South African passports.

Since July 2024, 44 people have been arrested in connection with corruption involving Home Affairs, while 98 officials have been dismissed, according to the department.

Schreiber said the department was pursuing suspected wrongdoing while also changing the systems that had made certain types of fraud possible. Through its digital transformation programme, Home Affairs has introduced biometric verification measures intended to close loopholes previously exploited in passport fraud.

“Our approach is twofold: pursuing corruption without fear or favour, while using technology to eliminate opportunities for corruption in the first place,” the minister said.

The department described the reforms as part of a broader effort to reduce opportunities for corruption rather than relying solely on investigations after offences have occurred.

The photo-swapping case illustrates how weaknesses in older administrative processes could be exploited to obtain travel documents fraudulently. Home Affairs says biometric verification and other digital reforms are designed to prevent similar schemes from recurring.

The three suspects remain subject to the legal process, with the case scheduled to return to court in January 2027. Their appearance and the allegations against them do not constitute a finding of guilt.

The department says it will continue investigating corruption and strengthening controls as it works to protect the integrity of South Africa’s passport system.

Source: https://x.com/abramjee/status/2115773587751649730?s=46

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