The 10 suspects Elvis Mabasa, Mary Mashale, Bonny Baloyi, Kulani Hiliza, Dipuo Raophala, William Maenetja, Levina Sekgobela, Nkele Rabutla, Willie Shingange, and Mokgadi Pilusa made their second appearance in court on Tuesday, November 29. This after they remained in custody on Friday, November 25 after appearing in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court.

In handing down the bail verdict, accused 1 to 4 were granted R2 000 bail each while accused 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 were granted R1 000 bail each. The bail application of accused number 9, Willie Shingange has not been processed as the court found that he is not in the right state of mind and has been referred to the doctor to check his mental state. The case received high-profile attention with the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Aaron Motsoasledi, also attending the court proceedings.

Also read: Former Tzaneen Home Affairs officials appear before court

“The Home Affairs Counter Corruption and Security Unit discovered 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 South African citizens were allegedly recruited and paid R1000 for their particulars to be used by foreign nationals to obtain a South African passport. Eric Nendauni of the investigating unit explained the events that lead to the arrests.

“A man visited a Home Affairs office to renew a passport. The surname, Malatji, was suspicious as he was not able to respond in any of the South African languages. The passport was confiscated and we were able to trace how and where the passport was captured. We were able to find the officials who were allegedly involved in the fraud,” he said. It seems the modus operandi was for a recruited South African citizen and a foreign national to visit the Home Affairs office at the same time. The South African citizen’s information and fingerprints were then captured on the Home Affairs system.

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

When it came to taking the photo, the foreigner’s photo would allegedly be taken instead of the South African citizen’s photo. In Tzaneen, fraud and corruption were allegedly in operation from last year up until the investigation commenced in May. Overall there are 18 suspects, five Home Affairs officials, and 13 members of the public. A fifth Home Affairs official is still at large.