Musina – Two suspects arrested in connection with alleged fraud and corruption involving the processing of a late registration of birth certificates are expected to appear before the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court today, 27 July 2026.
The pair face charges of fraud and corruption.
The suspects, aged 37 and 40, were arrested following an investigation into the unlawful late registration of birth certificates on 10 July 2019 at the Malamulele Office of the Department of Home Affairs.
Allegations are that a Home Affairs official from the Births and Deaths Registration Section took a bribe to unlawfully facilitate the issuance of late registration of birth certificates for two children without complying with the prescribed legal procedures.
Investigations suggest that the other arrested suspect was introduced by a third party to the Home Affairs official.
The “difficulty” had been that the mother of the children was a foreign national who had passed away.
An undisclosed amount was allegedly paid as a bribe to the Home Affairs official to unlawfully enable the late registration of birth certificates for the two children, who needed the documents to enroll in school.
The documents were issued on the same day.
However, the anomaly came to light when an alert school official, while processing the children’s admission, noticed discrepancies on the birth certificates.
Even though the children’s mother was dead, someone else was registered in her place.
The matter was reported to the Department of Home Affairs, which subsequently led to a criminal investigation by elite crime busters – the Hawks.
Upon completion of the investigation, a J50 warrant of arrest for three suspects was issued.
Two suspects were traced and arrested in Musina and Tshikhudini (Muswodi), while efforts to trace and arrest the third suspect are continuing.
They are expected to appear before the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court today.
Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Advocate Gopz Govender, stated that “The credibility of our country’s identity management system depends on strict adherence to the law and the ethical conduct of those entrusted with its administration.
“The Hawks will continue to act decisively against anyone who allegedly abuses public office”
