SIU exposes corruption and betrayal in South Africa’s visa system

A Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation has painted a disturbing picture of systemic corruption within the department of home affairs. Officials enriched themselves by unlawfully issuing permits, using spouses as conduits to launder bribes. Syndicates operated with precision, exploiting weaknesses in verification and monitoring, the probe found.

At the same time, foreigners such as Shepherd Bushiri, Kudakwashe Mpofu and Nigerian televangelist pastorTimothy Omotosofabricated documentation and misused networks to secure fraudulent immigration status. “These findings show that corruption in the visa system is not incidental; it is organised, deliberate, and devastating to public trust. Integrity is betrayed,” acting SIU headLeonard Lekgethosaid in a media briefing on Monday about the outcomes of the SIU’s investigation into the department.

A whistle-blower told the SIU that foreigners fraudulently obtain asylum permits — allegedly with the help of corrupt home affairs officials — and use them to secure permanent residence and citizenship without proper assessment of their claims. The SIU, with the assistance of the Hawks, searched five refugee reception offices, seizing laptops, desktops, cellphones, external drives and files. “Cellphone analysis revealed communication between officials and foreign nationals, with payments via e-wallet ranging from R500 to R3,000, facilitating the unlawful issuing of permits and visas to unqualified individuals,” Lekgetho said.

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Payments were made in cash hidden in applications, behind closed doors to avoid cameras, and via e-wallets using unregistered or fraudulently registered numbers. Lekgetho said a coordinated group of department officials responsible for the lawful processing, adjudication, and receipt of visa applications, have engaged in behaviour suggesting 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 (R16.3-million) in direct deposits. Evidence indicates that certain members of this group have acquired significant assets that are grossly disproportionate to their legal income.” He said their modus operandi was simple: applications were sent via WhatsApp for expedited approval, and once approved, money flowed almost immediately.

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