Uncovering R181 million in corruption: How Home Affairs officials have commodified visas in South Africa

The Special Investigating Unit says its investigation into Home Affairs uncovered systemic corruption, including R181 million in financial gains linked to fraudulent visa applications. TheSpecial Investigating Unitsays its investigation into theDepartment of Home Affairshas uncovered systemic corruption in which visas and residence permits were effectively commodified, generating financial gains exceeding R181 million. “The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has uncovered a disturbing reality: South Africa’s immigration system has been treated as a marketplace, where permits and visas were sold to the highest bidder,”acting SIU head Leonard Lekgethosaid during a press conference on Monday.

“The investigation reveals that the country’s borders were not protected by law but auctioned off through corruption. South Africa was being sold one permit at a time.” The investigation was authorised by PresidentCyril Ramaphosaunder Proclamation 154 of 2024. An interim report outlining the outcomes has been submitted to the President and made public.

According to the SIU, the corruption was not incidental but organised and deliberate. Officials entrusted with safeguarding the integrity of the department allegedly turned their positions into “profit-making schemes,” working with external actors and syndicates to manipulate systemic weaknesses. “The SIU has also traced financial gains exceeding R181 million associated with beneficiaries of fraudulent Visa applications, which were underpinned by fake documentation,” Lekgetho said.

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The investigation was triggered by a whistleblower who alleged that foreign nationals were entering South Africa, fraudulently obtaining asylum seeker permits and later using those permits to apply for permanent residence and ultimately citizenship. The SIU obtained a Special Tribunal order and, with the assistance of theDirectorate for Priority Crime Investigation(Hawks), searched five Refugee Reception Offices. A total of 237 electronic items were imaged for cyber forensic analysis.

Cellphone analysis revealed direct communication between officials and foreign nationals, with payments ranging from R500 to R3,000 via E-Wallet to facilitate unlawful approvals. Payments were allegedly concealed in multiple ways: cash hidden inside application forms with office doors closed to avoid surveillance cameras; e-Wallet deposits using non-RICA-registered or fraudulently registered numbers; asylum seekers sending e-Wallet payments to themselves and sharing OTPs with officials; and in-kind payments such as covering private rent or services. Leonard Gaoretelelwe Lekgetho was appointed as the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) new Acting Head.

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