Call for arrests in passport, visa fraud case

Investigation confirms that criminal syndicates have captured the department from within - EFF

- HOPE NTANZI

POLITICAL parties are demanding urgent action following a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report that exposed widespread corruption within the Department of Home Affairs.

The interim findings, released on Monday, revealed that over the past two decades, fraudulent visas, permanent residence permits, and identity documents were allegedly sold to the highest bidder, often with the involvement of senior officials.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) described the report as “damning,” highlighting that more than 2 000 study visas were allegedly issued fraudulently and at least 20 officials have been dismissed.

EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said the investigation confirmed that criminal syndicates had captured the department from within. He condemned the irregular facilitation of permanent residence permits for religious figures, stating: “Shepherd Bushiri, who fled South Africa while facing serious criminal charges, should never have benefited from a compromised immigration system in the first place”

Thambo also criticised the influence of religious networks within the department, saying: “This represents a blatant abuse of administrative power, where religious influence and proximity to officials were weaponised to bypass lawful procedures.

“When immigration systems are bent to shield individuals facing serious allegations, it ceases to be administrative misconduct and becomes political protection of impunity”

Thambo emphasised the consequences of corruption, warning that it “has had direct consequences for justice, public safety, and national credibility”.

He added that ordinary Africans, particularly those from war-torn or failing countries, “queue for months in humiliating conditions” while politically connected individuals were fast-tracked and shielded.