Two Home Affairs officials, Aluwani Andries Netshidaulu and Nthombifuthi Phyllis Mokwebo, appeared in the Protea Magistrate's Court on charges of racketeering, corruption, fraud, and contravention of the Immigration Act. They allegedly sold fraudulent South African passports to foreign nationals for between R50,000 and R100,000. The officials were arrested on September 26, 2026, during a takedown operation conducted under Project Humulani, a long-running investigation into an alleged criminal syndicate.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the alleged scheme involved pairing the identity details of South Africans with photographs of foreign nationals to facilitate the unlawful issuance of passports. Home Affairs officials implicated in the scheme allegedly received between R10,000 and R15,000 per application, while South African citizens who provided their personal details were compensated with R500. The investigation has already resulted in the seizure of luxury vehicles and the blocking and cancellation of several hundred passports believed to have been fraudulently obtained.
The alleged mastermind behind the scheme, Pakistani national Arfan Ahmad, was previously convicted and is currently serving a 14-year sentence of direct imprisonment. Ahmad appeared in court alongside Netshidaulu and Mokwebo. The two officials were each released on R5,000 unopposed bail, and the matter was postponed to November 4, 2026, to allow Ahmad to secure legal representation and for further investigations.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities expecting additional arrests as they pursue other individuals allegedly linked to the syndicate. The NPA regional spokesperson, Magaboke Mohlatlole, stated that the investigation has uncovered a complex web of corruption involving Home Affairs officials, South African citizens, and foreign nationals.
The alleged passport scam highlights the corruption and malfeasance within the Home Affairs department. The department has been criticized for its inefficiencies and corruption in the past, with many citizens and foreign nationals complaining about the lengthy and costly process of obtaining official documents.
The case has raised concerns about the security and integrity of South Africa's passport system. The government has assured citizens and foreign nationals that it is taking steps to prevent such scams and ensure the secure issuance of official documents.
The court appearance of Netshidaulu and Mokwebo marks a significant development in the investigation, which is expected to lead to further arrests and prosecutions. The case will continue on November 4, 2026, when the accused are expected to appear in court again.
Key points
- Two Home Affairs officials were arrested and charged with selling fraudulent passports for up to R100,000.
- The alleged scheme involved pairing the identity details of South Africans with photographs of foreign nationals to facilitate the unlawful issuance of passports.
- The investigation is ongoing, with authorities expecting additional arrests as they pursue other individuals allegedly linked to the syndicate.
