Five suspects – including an alleged Pakistani kingpin and a Department of Home Affairs official – appeared at the White River Magistrates Court, Mpumalanga, on Monday in connection with the highly publicised passport scam.
The recently exposed scam involves recruiting locals willing to part with their personal details for a fee. These details are then used to unlawfully facilitate the fraudulent application by foreign nationals for a SA passports.
All the accused, Home Affairs official 39-year-old Nhlanhla Mathebula, 36-year-old Mohamed Ali, 32-year-old Gabriel Samuel Van der Merwe, 38-year-old Christopher Marilli, and 30-year-old Sfiso Kheswa were arrested by the Hawks on Thursday.
Working alongside the Home Affairs, the Hawks traced and arrested the suspects at different locations in Eldorado Park, Gauteng and White River, Mpumalanga.
All the accused face multiple charges including fraud, corruption and contravening the Immigration Act.
Investigations indicate that on 13 October 2021 Mathebula colluded with the alleged kingpin, Ali who is from Pakistan.
They recruited gullible South African citizens to offer their personal details in order for foreigners to illegally get RSA passports.
The modus operandi involved South Africans using their particulars and finger prints to apply for a passport, but during the application process someone at Home Affairs would unlawfully capture a photo of the foreign national.
The passport chicanery was reportedly facilitated by bent Home Affairs officials after hours.
SA citizens were allegedly paid R500 each for the unlawful use of their particulars.
The case was postponed to 25 May 2022, for a formal bail application.
All five suspects were remanded in custody.
Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said more arrests were expected as investigations continue.
