JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – A Zimbabwean man has been convicted and jailed for fraud in South Africa after a court heard he bought a fake permanent resident permit for R3,000 before landing a job as chief financial officer earning over R1,6 million per year. Using the fraudulent papers, Kudakwashe Mpofu rose to become chief financial officer of the North West Development Corporation (NWDC). Mpofu was sentenced by the Mmabatho Regional Court on November 12, 2025, to three years in prison on the first count, which may be converted to correctional supervision; and three years’ imprisonment – wholly suspended for five years – on condition he does not commit further fraud or corruption offences, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) said in a statement.
Investigators found that Mpofu used a fake South African permanent residence permit, which he admitted buying for R3,000 from a private individual with no link to the Department of Home Affairs. An SIU investigation also uncovered several other fraudulent documents in his possession, including a Critical/Exceptional Skills Visa, a work permit and an exemption certificate dated 1996, when he was only five years old. Using the forged documents, Mpofu continued to live and work in South Africa after his student visa expired.
He went on to secure senior posts at the NWDC, first as an assets manager earning R900,000 per year, and later as CFO on a salary of R1.63 million. He also used the fake papers to obtain a South African driver’s licence and access vehicle financing, acquiring a Land Rover Sport, BMW 3 Series and Ford Ranger. The case stemmed from a 2023 tip-off to Home Affairs and fell under the SIU’s broader investigation into the fraudulent issuing of visas and permits.
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Evidence gathered by the SIU was later handed to the National Prosecuting Authority, leading to Mpofu’s prosecution and conviction. The SIU said the outcome demonstrates strong collaboration with the NPA and sends a clear warning about the consequences of using fraudulent immigration documents to obtain state employment and other benefits.
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