A Pakistan national has been arrested at the Cape Town International Airport while trying to leave the country using a fraudulently acquired SA passport.
The suspect, who was arrested Thursday night, had been on the radar of the Home Affairs Counter Corruption Branch for suspected fraudulent activities in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.
“The suspect fraudulently acquired a South African ID in Gauteng and a passport in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Siya Qoza, spokesperson for the Minister of Home Affairs.
The Counter Corruption Branch received a tip-off that a Pakistani with a fraudulently acquired SA passport was planning to leave the country.
On Wednesday, 30 March 2022, he booked a flight to leave the country from the Cape Town International Airport.
However, the Pakistani cancelled this ticket before the flight took off.
The next day, he again made another booking to leave SA immediately.
“When he tried to check in, immigration officers blocked his attempt and immediately called Counter Corruption and the police who moved swiftly to make the arrest,” said Qoza.
Immigration officers had details of his fraudulent South African passport and his Pakistani passport.
Home Affairs Counter Corruption officials and the police in the Western Cape arrested the Pakistani.
His arrest comes a week after a syndicate was busted for fraudulently issuing SA passports to foreign nationals for as much as R40 000.
The swoop on the Krugersdorp Home Affairs office in Gauteng led to the arrest of 29 suspects.
Commenting on the latest arrest, Home Affairs Minsiter Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi said: “”The net is closing in on all the corrupt Home Affairs officials and their associates who are undermining the country’s laws.
“This failed bid to evade justice in South Africa is linked to the takedown of a syndicate that was operating out of the Krugersdorp Home Affairs office last week,” said Minister Motsoaledi.”
The minister said he has instructed the Department to speedily finalise the investigation of the Home Affairs officials who were working with this suspect so that appropriate action can be taken.
“We don’t tolerate fraud and corruption and it is clear that there are members of society who share our resolve and provide reliable tip-offs. We thank them for coming forward,” warned Dr. Motsoaledi.
The arrested Pakistani was scheduled to appear at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court.
