The suspects, aged between 35 and 43, were employed at the Department of Home Affairs. They allegedly colluded with runners (recruiters) to recruit South African citizens to apply for passports. The process of applying for a passport would be followed but when it came to taking the photo, they would allegedly call the foreign nationals to the booth. As a result, the passports would contain the particulars of South African citizens but the photos would be of illegal foreign nationals.

Also read: ‘Sit down or go’

“The Home Affairs Counter Corruption and Security Unit discovered these illegal activities in May this year and referred the matter to the Hawks,” said Capt Matimba Maluleke of Limpopo Hawks. “During the investigation, it was revealed that the citizens whose particulars were used would be paid R1000.

The suspects who were employed as administration clerks were arrested in the Tzaneen area during a sting operation between the Hawks and Home Affairs counter corruption and security members. “All the arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Friday, November 25,” he said.

The search for other outstanding suspects is still ongoing. Read more on this story in the Herald on Friday, December 2.