Durban – The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit has arrested five more suspects in KwaZulu-Natal as part of an ongoing probe into a widespread fraudulent passport scheme involving Department of Home Affairs (DHA) officials and private citizens.
Police spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale confirmed on Saturday that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) executed a series of arrest warrants across Durban on 14 June 2025.
The arrests stem from a complaint lodged by the DHA, relating to the unlawful issuance of South African passports to undocumented foreign nationals between February 2020 and July 2023.
According to authorities, the fraudulent activities were orchestrated at several DHA offices in Durban – notably the Commercial Street branch – and occurred outside normal operating hours, including during evenings, weekends, and public holidays when the offices were officially closed.
“Preliminary investigations by the Department of Home Affairs confirmed that the criminal activities were indeed conducted during off hours,” said Mogale. “South African citizens were allegedly paid between R300 and R1000 to assist foreign nationals in fraudulently obtaining passports.”
#sapsHAWKS [MEDIA STATEMENT] The Serious Corruption Investigation component of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, based Pretoria has secured a number of warrants of arrest which are currently being executed in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal today, 14/06.
The… pic.twitter.com/jYETcoGcny
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) June 14, 2025
The scheme reportedly extended to DHA offices in Isipingo, Durban Central, and Eshowe.
The five suspects arrested on Saturday will face charges of corruption, fraud, and contraventions of both the Immigration Act and Identification Act. They are expected to make their first appearance at the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.
The latest arrests bring the total number of individuals apprehended in connection with the scam to 38 since investigations began in September 2022. Among those previously arrested are seven DHA officials and 31 private citizens. Of these, 24 have already been convicted, including four officials, with the courts handing down a combined sentence of 310 years imprisonment.
Colonel Mogale added that investigations are ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out.
The DHA has yet to comment further on the latest arrests but previously indicated that it is tightening internal security measures to prevent similar abuses in future
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
