The Department of Home Affairs is making headlines for all the right reasons—this time, not for delays or inefficiency, but for cracking down hard on corruption. According to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, eight corrupt officials have been convicted and sentenced to a combined 97 years in prison, while 27 others have been dismissed, including a passport syndicate kingpin.
In a response to parliamentary questions from IFP MP Busaphi Machi, Schreiber revealed the inner workings of the department’s aggressive cleanup efforts.
“The recent arrests of persons linked to passport fraud syndicate activities are a direct result of ongoing risk profiling into Home Affairs’ core business processes,” Schreiber stated.
From Suspicion to Sentencing: How It Unfolded
At the heart of this anti-corruption drive is the department’s Counter Corruption Unit, which uses data analytics to identify crime patterns and investigate anomalies in its operations. Through collaboration with law enforcement, including the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the department has been able to act swiftly and decisively.
- 8 officials sentenced to a total of 97 years in prison
- Convictions range from 4 to 18 years
- One official sentenced to 10 years and ordered to repay bribes received
The charges ranged from fraudulent passport processing and ID issuance to irregular marriages and visa applications.
Zero Tolerance Policy in Full Swing
Schreiber, who took office in July 2024, wasted no time making an impact. By September, 31 disciplinary cases had already been finalised, many leading to prosecutions. Since then:
- 27 officials dismissed
- 19 prosecutions underway
- 6 officials issued final written warnings
- 2 had salaries docked for misconduct
- 1 official fired for sexual harassment
These offences weren’t limited to one category. Dismissals covered a range of issues including:
- Fraudulent solemnisation of marriages
- Irregular ID and passport approvals
- Birth certificate and asylum permit manipulation
- Sexual harassment in the workplace
National Cleanup Expands
The anti-corruption net continues to widen. Initial operations have since expanded into other provinces, with multiple arrests of not just officials but also citizens and foreign nationals caught colluding in passport and identity fraud schemes.
“As our accelerated action against errant conduct demonstrates, officials who fail to heed this message will soon find themselves out of Home Affairs and on their way to prison,” said Schreiber.
Accountability and Integrity Take Centre Stage
The department’s commitment to eliminating maladministration sends a powerful message to both staff and the public. According to Schreiber:
“We have zero tolerance for unethical conduct or corruption. Delays will not be tolerated. Every last corrupt official will be fired.”
He also stressed that dockets for prosecutable offences are being handed over to prosecutors and that the Home Affairs-SIU partnership will continue to monitor, investigate, and root out corruption.
Public Trust on the Line
This unprecedented sweep within the Department of Home Affairs signals a broader trend toward accountability in public service. With border control, immigration, and citizen documentation in the spotlight, these changes mark a turning point in restoring public confidence in one of South Africa’s most scrutinised institutions.
As Schreiber puts it:
“These dismissals send a clear and unambiguous message—the days where acts of fraud and corruption are committed with impunity against Home Affairs are over.”
