Members of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) with the assistance of the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations, also known as the Hawks, seized computers, electronic pieces of equipment, and documents which will assist with the ongoing investigation at the Department of Home Affairs offices.

Following a tip-off from a whistleblower suggesting maladministration at Home Affairs offices in five provinces, the SIU and Hawks on Friday conducted searches and seized evidence at the various offices.

The tip-off claimed that Home Affairs officials in Gauteng, Limpopo, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are working with syndicates to duplicate application status files that are applied for in other offices and process them for a fee.

The whistleblower also stated that the officials bypass immigration systems to enable foreign nationals who have entered the country illegally to remain in the country and acquire permits illegally and unlawfully.

Furthermore, the whistleblower alleged that Home Affairs officials are delaying the finalisation of the asylum seeker permits to facilitate bogus asylum seekers.

“Through the permits which were obtained illegally and unlawfully, the bogus asylum seekers will use them to remain in the country and later use the same permits to apply for Permanent Resident Permits and ultimately, obtain South African citizenship. After getting citizenship, they qualify to get a maroon passport, which allows them to travel all over the world except their country of origin,” explained SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.

President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the SIU to investigate serious maladministration and improper conduct at Home Affairs through Proclamation 154 of 2024.

Kganyago noted that the SIU was granted a search warrant by the Special Tribunal, a judicial platform established to adjudicate on matters emanating from SIU investigations, on May 10.

The SIU said that in addition to investigating maladministration, malpractice, corruption and fraud, it will identify system failures and make systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future recurrence.

In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers during its investigations to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action.

Kganyago said the SIU is empowered by the SIU Act to institute a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation caused by acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration.