27 Mar SIU Investigation Reveals Exploitation of the Immigration System
Recently, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) was authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa, under Proclamation 154 of 2024, to set out an investigation into the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). This look into the DHA has brought to light a disturbing reality. According to Acting Head of the SIU, Leonard Lekgetho, South Africa’s immigration system has been treated as “…a marketplace, where permits and visas are sold to the highest bidder.” It has become an increasingly common concern that officials entrusted with safeguarding the integrity of the DHA are abusing their positions by using them as a “profit-making scheme”.
Investigation Uncovers Multi-Layered Corruption
During their investigation, it has been brought to the SIU’s attention that foreign nationals are fraudulently entering South Africa by obtaining asylum seeker permits. These permits will allow them to apply for permanent residency and ultimately citizenship. According to Lekgetho, there is a coordinated group of department officials within the DHA engaging in behaviour that would strongly suggest systemic corruption and illicit enrichment in violation of their official duties.
“The SIU can reveal that, so far, we have uncovered that four officials, who earn less than R25 000 per month, have received a total of R16 313 327 in direct deposits. Evidence indicates that certain members of this group have acquired significant assets that are grossly disproportionate to their legal income.”
The investigation has also confirmed that applications were sent to officials via WhatsApp for expedited approval. Once the application was approved, money would then immediately be transferred and funnelled through accounts held by their spouses, deliberately disguising the bribes. The SIU has traced financial transfers exceeding R181 million, which can be traced to beneficiaries of fraudulent visa applications that were underpinned by fake documentation.
Further investigation has uncovered, in conjunction with Interpol, an elaborate scheme of identity fraud. The scheme mostly consisted of foreign nationals obtaining South African passports in order to commit crimes abroad or to seek refugee status elsewhere. Additionally, in a parallel investigation, the SIU uncovered evidence of DNA samples being swapped and manipulated in favour of foreign nationals and their applications for Permanent Residency Permits.
The implications of the deep-rooted corruption present in our immigration system continue to challenge the credibility of the South African passport. Countries, such as Ireland, that once allowed South Africans to enjoy visa-free visits, are revoking these privileges due to the numerous cases of foreign nationals fraudulently obtaining South African passports and seeking asylum elsewhere. In an interview with Lester Kiewit, immigration lawyer June Luna discussed the implications this may have on South Africans who plan on travelling abroad.
“It’s going to have a huge impact. Anyone who’s had to apply for a UK visa or a Schengen visa knows how incredibly stressful it is… So, it’s a huge systemic problem and a big concern. A lot of foreign nationals have obtained passports, travelled to Europe illegally, and stayed over.”
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