Home Affairs has dismissed 38 officials for fraud, corruption, and sexual assault as part of a major internal clean-up.
Five Department of Home Affairs officials were dismissed for fraud and sexual assault, bringing the total to 38 fired officials in one year.
Home Affairs said on Wednesday that the department dismissed the officials with immediate effect on Monday for offences ranging from fraud to sexual assault.
The department has dismissed 38 officials in 12 months as part of a sweeping anti-corruption and misconduct campaign.
38 Home Affairs dismissed in 12 months
Eight of the 38 officials have already been convicted and sentenced to prison for periods ranging from four to 18 years, while 19 officials are being criminally prosecuted.
“These dismissals follow on the crackdown on a passport syndicate in Durban just last month, where two officials and three members of the public were arrested,” the department spokesperson Duwayne Esau said.
Esau added that these findings highlight Home Affairs’ increasing effectiveness in combating criminal syndicates both within and outside the department.
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The Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber, said in just 12 months, the department has already rid Home Affairs of 38 crooked and delinquent officials.
“I repeat my warning to anyone involved in corruption: the days of defrauding this department or committing acts of sexual harassment or abuse while relying on long, drawn-out disciplinary processes are over,” Schreiber said.
The minister thanked the diligent officials who played a critical role in their work to clean up the department, including those involved in accelerating disciplinary processes.
Cleaning out corrupt elements
“Committed officials like these are the future of Home Affairs, as we continue to work together as #TeamHomeAffairs to clean out the corrupt elements that represent the past,” Schreiber said.
Prior to Monday, the most recent dismissals happened in April 2025, when six officials were dismissed for a range of offences, including fraud and corruption.
The dismissals followed from the recent launch of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum, which has further strengthened coordination between Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority, the Special Investigating Unit, and the National Prosecuting Authority.
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