Alleged Fraudulent Passport Syndicate Appeared In Court For Corruption
A group of twenty-seven people appeared in the Krugersdorp Magistrates' Court, on the alleged fraudulent passport syndicate operation. They were charged with corruption in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.
The arrest happened after a multi-disciplinary operation, involving the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Cash In-Transit Task Team, Department of Home Affairs’ Anti-Corruption, and Johannesburg Central Tactical Response Team. The sting operation was conducted at the offices of the Krugersdorp Department of Home Affairs in the early hours of Friday, 25 March 2022.
Law enforcement authorities received a tip-off about the alleged passport making syndicate that works with Home Affairs officials, to identify South Africans (SA) that are willing to sell their identities for R500. The SA citizen’s details would then be used to produce a passport for foreign nationals and be sold at R40 000 each.
The case has been postponed to 5 April 2022, for bail preparation investigations and all accused were remanded in custody.
Issued by:
Phindi Mjonondwane
NPA Regional Spokesperson-
Gauteng Local Division
0626906505/0112204245