Home Affairs corruption
Zainul Dawood|Published
Two Home Affairs officials were granted R5,000 bail each in the Germiston Magistrates’ Court in connection with an alleged syndicate involved in the fraudulent acquisition of South African passports.
David Motsamai, 35, and Lufu Mulaudzi, 39, who were stationed at the Home Affairs office in Germiston, face multiple counts of fraud, with alternative charges relating to alleged contraventions of the Immigration Act. The matter was postponed to October 26, 2026 for transfer to the Regional Court.
Magaboke Mohlatlole, the NPA's Gauteng spokesperson, said the investigation into the alleged passport fraud syndicate commenced in 2021 under Project Humulani.
How passport scheme worked
Investigations allegedly uncovered a scheme in which the identity details of South African citizens were unlawfully used by replacing their photographs with those of foreign nationals.
The State alleges that the scheme was intended to enable foreign nationals to fraudulently obtain South African passports and conceal their true identities and immigration status.
The State further alleges that Motsamai and Mulaudzi acted in common purpose with other individuals, some of whom are not yet known to the State. The charges relate to multiple alleged incidents involving the fraudulent use of South African citizens’ identity details in passport applications processed at the Germiston Home Affairs office.
Fraudulent access to official document
Mohlatlole said the authority welcomes the continued progress of Project Humulani in addressing alleged corruption and criminal conduct associated with the fraudulent acquisition of South African identity and travel documents.
“The integrity of South Africa’s identity and passport system is critical to maintaining public confidence and protecting the country’s immigration and identity-management systems. Those who allegedly abuse positions of public trust to facilitate fraudulent access to official documents must be held accountable where the evidence supports prosecution,” Mohlatlole said.
The NPA stated that it will continue working with law enforcement agencies to dismantle criminal syndicates, and ensure that persons implicated in criminal activities are brought before the courts to face the charges against them.
zainul.dawood@iol.co.za
IOL
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