The Congress of the People (COPE) on Tuesday urged Home Affairs Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi to lay a criminal complaint against the fired chief director, Ronney Marhule.
“We are calling upon Minister Motsoaledi to lay criminal charges against this official. This will send out a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated anymore,” demanded COPE on Tuesday.
The chief director was dismissed for his role in the irregular issuing of SA resident permits to Preacher Shepherd Bushiri, his wife, and two children.
“The Home Affairs official who was involved in the approval of Shepherd Bushiri’s permanent residence application must be criminally charged. Dismissal is not enough,” said Cope National Spokesperson Dennis Bloem.
Marhule was found guilty of two counts of misconduct and non-compliance with the Immigration Act in the unprocedural recommendation of the Bushiris permanent residency applications.
“COPE views this offence in a very serious light,” Bloem.
“This is absolutely unacceptable and clear corruption.”
Bushiri and his wife – who were facing fraud and money laundering charges skipped bail in South Africa in November 2020 and fled to their home country Malawi.
The self-proclaimed prophet later told followers via social media that he had made a “tactical withdrawal” because his life was in danger.
“When Bushiri escaped from the country we said that we suspect that it is an inside job, and an indication of how deep and serious corruption is in Home Affairs. It is now clear that he bought his way out of the country,” said Bloem.
“We don’t have any doubt that money was involved in this transaction of Bushiri’s fraudulent permanent residence approval. We must not take this matter lightly.
“COPE welcomes the dismissal of this official and appreciates the efforts of the Minister of Home Affairs Dr. Motsoaledi to clean this rotten department.”
