The NPA recently announced that 27 people had appeared in the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court in connection with an alleged fraudulent passport syndicate operation.

They were charged with corruption in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004, said its regional spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane.

“The arrest happened after a multi-disciplinary operation involving the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Cash In-Transit Task Team, Department of Home Affairs Anti-Corruption Unit, and Johannesburg Central Tactical Response Team. The sting operation was conducted at the offices of the Krugersdorp Department of Home Affairs in the early hours of Friday, March 25.

“Law-enforcement authorities received a tip-off about the alleged passport-making syndicate that works with Home Affairs officials to identify South Africans who are willing to sell their identities for R500. The SA citizen’s details would then be used to produce a passport for foreign nationals and be sold at R40 000 each.”

The case was postponed to Tuesday, April 5 for bail preparation, and the accused were remanded in custody.