Cape Town – A former Department of Home Affairs employee has been found guilty of 264 charges linked to the alleged fraudulent acquisition of South African passports by foreign nationals.
Tholithemba Malusi Mlondo, 34, was convicted on Wednesday, 1 October 2026, in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the charges stem from activities that took place between February 2022 and July 2023 at a Home Affairs office in Pietermaritzburg.
The SAPS said a group of South African citizens allegedly facilitated the fraudulent acquisition of South African passports by foreign nationals.
“These unlawful activities took place outside of regular business hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays, when the DHA offices were officially closed,” the police said.
Mlondo was found guilty of 66 counts each of fraud, corruption, contravention of the Immigration Act and contravention of the Identification Act.
The SAPS said the activities resulted in a case being opened and investigated by its Serious Corruption Investigation team.
The police described the conviction as evidence of its “ongoing efforts” to combat unlawful activities affecting the Department of Home Affairs.
Mlondo has been in custody since his arrest.
The matter was postponed to 13 November 2026 for a pre-sentencing report, while Mlondo was remanded in custody.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
