Two home affairs officials, Aluwani Andries Netshidaulu and Ntombifuthi Phyllis Mokwebo, appeared in the Protea magistrate's court on Wednesday, facing charges of racketeering, corruption, fraud, and contravening the Immigration Act. They were arrested on Tuesday as part of Project Humulani, an investigation launched in 2021 into an alleged network involving foreign nationals, home affairs officials, and South African citizens. The pair allegedly played a role in a scheme to issue South African passports to foreign nationals.
According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole, the investigation uncovered an alleged scheme in which the identity details of South African citizens were paired with photographs of foreign nationals to facilitate the unlawful issuing of South African passports. Foreign nationals allegedly paid between R50,000 and R100,000 for the passports, while the officials allegedly received between R10,000 and R15,000 per application. South African citizens who allowed their personal details to be used were allegedly paid R500.
The investigation has resulted in the seizure of luxury vehicles and the blocking and cancellation of several hundred passports allegedly obtained fraudulently. A Pakistani national, Arfan Ahmad, who was linked to the matter and allegedly maintained a corrupt relationship with home affairs officials, has previously been convicted and is serving a 14-year sentence. Ahmad appeared in court alongside Netshidaulu and Mokwebo.
The matter was postponed to November 4 to allow Ahmad to secure legal representation and for further investigations. Netshidaulu and Mokwebo were each released on R5,000 bail. The National Prosecuting Authority said investigations continued and further arrests were expected as authorities pursued other people allegedly linked to the syndicate.
Project Humulani was launched in 2021 after information emerged about an alleged network involving foreign nationals, home affairs officials, and South African citizens. The investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the syndicate's activities and bring all those involved to justice. Authorities have made significant progress in disrupting the syndicate's operations.
The alleged syndicate's activities have significant implications for national security and the integrity of South Africa's immigration system. The authorities' efforts to combat corruption and protect the country's borders are ongoing. The case will continue to be closely watched as it unfolds.
The next court appearance for Netshidaulu, Mokwebo, and Ahmad is scheduled for November 4. The National Prosecuting Authority will continue to provide updates on the investigation and any further developments in the case.
Key points
- Two home affairs officials have been charged in connection with an alleged syndicate that fraudulently obtained South African passports for foreign nationals.
- The investigation has resulted in the seizure of luxury vehicles and the blocking and cancellation of several hundred passports allegedly obtained fraudulently.
- Further arrests are expected as authorities pursue other people allegedly linked to the syndicate.
