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The Department of Home Affairs has dismissed 33 officials since July in a major anti-corruption drive, with more prosecutions underway.
Department of Home Affairs Picture: Carlos Muchave/ The Citizen
The total number of Department of Home Affairs (DHA) officials dismissed for various acts of fraud and corruption since July 2024 has risen to 33.
On Tuesday, the department dismissed six more officials immediately for various offences, including fraud and corruption. Six more officials were also issued final written warnings.
An additional eight officials have already been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from four to 18 years, while prosecution of another 19 officials is underway.
In one notable case, a Pakistani national, Afran Ahmed, was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment in the Krugersdorp Magistrate Court, Gauteng. Ahmed charged foreign nationals R45 000 per South African passport.
The department spokesperson, Siya Qoza, said Tuesday’s dismissals come after the recent launch of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum.
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The forum has strengthened coordination between the department, the Border Management Authority (BMA), the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
“The speed at which Home Affairs, in collaboration with the SIU, is clearing out corruption from our midst demonstrates that swift progress can be made in the fight against this scourge,” Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber said.
Schreiber added that he has made it clear to the department that delays will not be tolerated and that DHA will not rest until every corrupt official is fired.
“I applaud the inter-departmental teams for their progress in ensuring that we wash the stain of corruption and state capture off of Home Affairs so that it becomes the proud institution our country deserves,” Schreiber said.
“My message to remaining perpetrators is clear: it is only a matter of time before we catch you and hold you accountable.”
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