Brief
Former Home Affairs employee convicted on 66 counts of fraud and corruption
The Hawks said the offences involved illegal passport sales between February 2022 and July 2023.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A 34‑year‑old former Department of Home Affairs employee was convicted on 66 counts each of fraud, corruption, contravention of the Immigration Act and contravention of the Identification Act on 1 October 2026 in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, KwaZulu‑Natal, the Hawks said.
The offences relate to a scheme that, between February 2022 and July 2023, enabled foreign nationals to obtain South African passports fraudulently at a DHA office in Pietermaritzburg, often outside regular business hours, according to a Hawks statement dated 2 October 2026.
The accused has been in custody since his arrest and is scheduled to appear for a pre‑sentencing report on 13 November 2026.
Key facts
- The former Home Affairs employee was found guilty on 1 October 2026 in Durban. (bizcommunity.com)
- He was convicted on 66 counts each of fraud, corruption, Immigration Act and Identification Act violations. (bizcommunity.com)
- The illegal passport scheme operated between February 2022 and July 2023 in Pietermaritzburg. (bizcommunity.com)
- He will appear for a pre‑sentencing report on 13 November 2026. (bizcommunity.com)
Sources
- [1] bizcommunity.com — originally reported as “Former Home Affairs official found guilty of fraud”
