SIU reveals ‘network of religious figures’ exploited Home Affairs for 20 years; Bushiri, Omotoso, 3GAR named

Department of Home Affairs Picture: Carlos Muchave/ The Citizen Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and a former provincial government chief financial officer (CFO) are among notable names in a Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigation into the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Acting SIU head Leonard Lekgetho led an SIU briefing on Monday, during which he detailed the findings in an interim report on the investigation. The SIU has been scrutinising visa, asylum seeker, and residence permit irregularities spanning a 20-year period from October 2004 to February 2024.

Other notable figures featured in the interim report include Pastor Timothy Omotoso and the man who spectacularly crashed a supercar in Cape Town in March 2025. Lekgetho stated that the investigation was prompted by whistleblower information alleging that foreign nationals were colluding with DHA officials to obtain various visas and permits. “The SIU has identified a coordinated network of religious figures, pastors and prophets, exploiting immigration systems through fraudulent documentation, fake retirement confirmation, falsified financial means, marriages of convenience, and syndicate-backed sponsorships faking financial stability,” said the SIU head.

DHA officials benefited financially through the unlawful issuing of permits, using their spouses to receive and relay alleged bribes. The officials exploited weaknesses in verification and monitoring systems to bypass compliance measures, then used dummy phones to receive ewallet payments ranging between R500 and R6 000 per transaction. “External actors, including Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, Kudakwashe Mpofu, and Nigerian rapper Prince Daniel Obioma – also known as 3GAR – exploited influence, fabricated documentation, and manipulated systemic weaknesses to secure fraudulent residence permits,” stated Lekgetho.

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To date, the SIU has tracked R181 million in illegal gains by foreign nationals and R16.3 million in funds secured by Department of Home Affairs officials from fraudulent activities. The National Prosecuting Authority has been referred 275 criminal cases, with 111 investigations closed and 100 deportations actioned.

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