14 Apr Top DHA Official Suspended for Accepting Bribes

In early February, Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber, parliament, and the Public Service Commission received a whistleblower complaint from a lawyer who goes by Mareng Mareng (an adopted name). Mareng complained that he and other lawyers were being asked to pay bribes by Home Affairs’ chief director of legal affairs, Percy Tshabane, in exchange for having service provider invoices paid.

The complaint reads, “Service providers are not bribing and soliciting favours from Percy Tshabane; instead, he is the one frustrating them by withholding their invoices for 60 to 180 days in order to extort money from them (in the disguise that he`s doing them a favour).”

At the time of the complaint, invoice payments were withheld by as long as 60 to 180 days – chargeable under the labour law framework, as invoices are to be paid no later than 30 days after receipt. Tshabane had payments dispersed between his physical office address and bank account, using them to fund his budding music career and lifestyle, alleges News 24’s City Press.

An X post from Leon Schreiber confirms that “The official in question has been suspended and a full investigation is underway.”

Percy Tshabane is the labour relations manager at the Department of Home Affairs. He works as acting chief director for employee engagement and regularly engages with attorneys and service providers.

Allegations and Evidence

Following City Press’ 9 February publication, “Home affairs official in hot water for allegedly soliciting bribes before signing invoices”, DHA Minister Schreiber appointed the law firm Werkmans to investigate the claim.

An unlisted source reported: “The lawyers found evidence in the form of a bank deposit and questioned Tshabane, who admitted that he did receive the money from the complaining lawyer. However, he said the lawyer was his brother and there was nothing untoward with him asking for financial help. On Monday, the law firm recommended that he be suspended, and he was on Tuesday.”

Additionally, City Press released a series of WhatsApp messages between Tshabane and one of the lawyers on the department`s labour relations panel. The lawyer reminded him that he had invoiced in July and had since not been paid.

The message from the lawyer reads, “When you needed assistance from me twice, initially, I took you as a brother who could relate and who could elevate our careers going forward, but today, we are being victimised right in your hands. Where do you get the audacity of asking for financial assistance from me, to be specific, as you did, knowing very well that you are intentionally withholding my invoice?

Even ever since you asked for assistance from me, you have never even recommended work for me, but when you need help, I must jump to your tune.”

Tshabane replies, “Are you winning? I only managed to get R2,000 and am short of R3,000.”

Department’s Response

Home Affairs CFO Gordon Hollamby asked for proof of the allegations: “Should you have concrete evidence of the official soliciting favours from the suppliers, please share such. Given the seriousness of the allegations, my personal view is that this matter can best be investigated by an entity with sufficient powers outside the department.”

He stated that he had previously investigated the invoice payment, but did not engage with the service providers.

Minister Schreiber said Tshabane is under investigation and has been suspended. There has since been no further news on the official’s discipline or function in the Department.

June Luna Immigration Attorneys believe that the official was rightly suspended and that the Department should continue to discourage corruption and similar incidents of extortion.

Efficient Attorneys You Can Trust

June Luna Immigration Attorneys are experts in immigration and civil law, working hard to ensure all of our clients achieve their desired outcomes, whether that’s permanent residency or litigation against the Department of Home Affairs.

Our attorneys don’t use bribes or any other monetary incentive to ensure your application is approved. Rather, we use sound knowledge of the law and proper litigation, ensuring we uphold justice and what’s right.

Let us assist you with your immigration needs – contact June Luna Immigration Attorneys today.