Elvis Mabasa, Mary Mashale, Bonny Miyelani Baloyo  and Creddy Kulani Hiliza together with their accomplices Mokgadi Amanda Pilusa  and Kgodiso Levinia Sekgobela were remanded in custody until November 29 for formal bail application . This is after they were arrested on charges of fraud and corruption on Wednesday, November 23.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoasledi also attended the court session. “We take this matter serious, and we are going to see through it that they are held countable. I just don’t get why Sourth Africans sisk their lives just for R1000, this is gonna bite them in future,” he said.

Also read: Four former Tzaneen Home Affairs officials arrested for alleged fraud

“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.