Krugersdorp – The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has expressed his satisfaction following the sentencing of Pakistani national, Arfan Ahmed, who was convicted for corrupt activities and bribery at the Krugersdorp Home Affairs office.
Ahmed was apprehended in a sting operation conducted in March 2022, orchestrated by the Counter Corruption Branch of Home Affairs, the Hawks, and Police Crime Intelligence. The operation revealed Ahmed’s involvement in bribing officials to obtain South African passports fraudulently, for a sum of R45,000.
Multiple Charges and Sentencing
Upon his arrest, a search of Ahmed’s residence unearthed several passports that were illegally held. Consequently, Ahmed has been sentenced to serve a cumulative 18 years in prison. This includes an eight-year term for the possession of unauthorized passports and a subsequent 10-year term handed down by the Krugersdorp Regional Court for his role as the mastermind behind the passport fraud scheme.
A Threat to National Security
The Home Affairs department highlighted that the syndicate’s ultimate aim was to undermine South African law by securing passports for Pakistani nationals who would not have been otherwise eligible. Ahmed’s network had deep roots across multiple provinces including Gauteng, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Mpumalanga.
Zero Tolerance for Corruption
Twelve Home Affairs officials who facilitated Ahmed’s scheme have been dismissed following the completion of their disciplinary proceedings. Minister Motsoaledi welcomed the court’s decision, emphasizing that it sends a robust message that crime is unacceptable and will be vigorously countered.
“We’ve been waiting patiently for the sentencing of this kingpin for his role in the Krugersdorp passport syndicate. This is an illustration that in our unflinching commitment to uproot fraud, corruption, and all sorts of crimes bedevilling our country, we make sure that kingpins and their ‘lieutenants’ face the full might of the law,” Motsoaledi stated.
Impact on South African Citizens
Motsoaledi elaborated on how passport fraud adversely affects all South African citizens. Due to such fraudulent activities, South Africans now face stricter visa regulations when travelling to countries like the United Kingdom, a repercussion that wasn’t prevalent before these crimes stigmatized the nation’s passports.
“Passport fraud is not a victimless crime. Every single South African is a victim because we are now forced to apply for visas when we visit countries such as the United Kingdom. This was not the case before syndicates like these denigrated our passports. We will, therefore, have no mercy to anybody whatsoever, Home Affairs official or outsider, who gets involved in these dastardly acts. We are doing so to protect the interests of all South Africans,” he asserted.
Call to Action
The Minister urged citizens to remain vigilant and promptly report any criminal activities pertaining to Home Affairs. He encouraged people to report such crimes to their nearest police station or directly to Home Affairs officials.
Individuals with information can use the national anti-corruption hotline at 0800 701 701 or send an email to report.corruption@dha.gov.za
By Mpho Moloi
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