Cape Town — The Hawks and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) have raided several Home Affairs offices across the country to investigate allegations of maladministration and corruption.
The Special Investigating Unit raided five refugee centres on Friday morning as part of a corruption probe, and it is believed that the SIU is investigating corruption linked to the issuing of asylum and refugee papers to foreign nationals entering South Africa, News24 reported.
With the help of the Hawks, the SIU carried out the search-and-seizure operations in Gqeberha (Eastern Cape), Pretoria (Gauteng), Musina (Limpopo), Durban (KwaZulu-Natal) and Cape Town (Western Cape), which fall under the Department of Home Affairs.
SIU, HAWKS SEARCH HOME AFFAIRS OFFICES IN FIVE PROVINCES AND SEIZE EVIDENCE TO ASSIST IN AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION
On 17 May 2024, at around 09:00, the SIU with the assistance of the Hawks, conducted searches and
seized evidence at Home Affairs offices in five provinces pic.twitter.com/LiUgJdcDWw— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) May 17, 2024
It is believed that more than 60 officials working at Home Affairs were identified as suspects in the investigation. SIU officials moved quickly into the building and entered offices to ensure that no evidence was destroyed.
Home Affair’s officials’ cellphones were seized and all employees were not allowed to leave the premises.
The SIU reported on X that a whistleblower suggested that Home Affairs officials in the identified centres work with syndicates to duplicate application status files applied for in other offices and process them for a fee.
The whistleblower alleged that Home Affairs officials are delaying the finalisation of the asylum seeker permits to facilitate bogus asylum seekers.
The Special Investigating Unit is conducting a search and seizure in Tshwane today. The operation is one of five that are underway in different provinces looking into corruption around asylum and refugee papers. Newzroom Afrika’s @NqobileMadlala_ has more.
Watch:… pic.twitter.com/FrMwfmGfFO
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 17, 2024
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Picture: X/@RSASIU
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
