The Department of Home Affairs has fired Chief Director Ronney Marhule for recommending that Shepherd Bushiri and his family should be issued SA permanent residence permits.
Before the Bushiris skipped bail, the wealthy preacher – along with his wife and two others – were accused of money laundering and fraud involving R102 million.
On Monday, the SA Home Affairs Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi said Marhule had been dismissed with “immediate effect”.
“The chief director who recommended that Shepherd Bushiri and his family should be issued with permanent residence permits, which they did not deserve, has been dismissed from the Department of Home Affairs with immediate effect,” said the department.
Home Affairs Chief Director for Permitting Marhule was found guilty of two counts of misconduct relating to dishonesty and negligence after a lengthy disciplinary process that went on for almost a year.
During that time, Marhule unsuccessfully approached – on at least three occasions – the Labour Court and the Labour Appeal Court to halt the disciplinary process.
Marhule was charged with two counts of gross dishonesty, gross negligence, and non-compliance with the Immigration Act, regulations, and standard operating procedures.
“The first count related to recommending the approval of the permanent residence permit applications of Bushiri, his spouse, and two children,” said the department.
“The second count related to recommending the approval of the Permanent Residence Permit applications of Mr. Mohamed Afzal Motiwala and Ms. Fatima Ebrahim.”
The Chairperson of the Disciplinary Hearing found that Marhule showed no remorse and that the “relationship of trust between the employer and the employee has broken down and cannot be restored”.
Commenting on the matter, Dr. Motsoaledi said: “The outcome of this disciplinary hearing is taking us closer to ensuring that we bring to an end irregular practices and decisions by Home Affairs officials within the system.
“We are cracking down on all forms of irregularities wherever we find them at Home Affairs.”
