Johannesburg – A 46-year-old woman is expected to appear in the Protea Glen Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday following her arrest during a multi-disciplinary operation targeting a syndicate accused of obtaining fraudulent South African passports.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the woman was arrested in Gauteng on Tuesday, 29 September, during a prosecution-led takedown under Operation Humulani.
The investigation began in December 2021 after the Gauteng Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, received information that a foreign national was allegedly colluding with officials from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to obtain fraudulent South African passports.
The investigation was conducted jointly with the DHA Anti-Corruption Unit and the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit.
“Preliminary investigation confirmed that officials from DHA and vulnerable South African citizens were recruited then paired with foreign nationals they photo-swopped and left personal details to legitimise the document,” SAPS said.
According to police, DHA officials were allegedly paid between R10,000 and R15,000 per application, while South African citizens received R500. Foreign nationals were allegedly charged between R50,000 and R100,000 for the fraudulent documents.
The investigation was formalised as Project Humulani on 12 April 2022, covering cases registered in Krugersdorp, Kliptown, Fairlands and Tubatse, as well as an enquiry in Germiston.
SAPS said the investigation had already resulted in the arrest, conviction and sentencing of an alleged kingpin linked to the Krugersdorp and Fairlands cases.
“The alleged kingpin was successfully traced arrested, convicted and sentenced to 14 years direct imprisonment,” the police said.
Three Toyota Fortuner SUVs have also been seized, while several hundred passports were blocked and cancelled during the operation.
The latest suspect faces charges of fraud, racketeering, corruption and contravention of the Immigration Act.
The case forms part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to dismantle organised networks allegedly involved in corruption and the fraudulent acquisition of South African identity and travel documents.
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Picture: Copilot
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
