Refugee and home affairs employee caught red-handed
“Bribing an official for a service that is available for free suggests that the person bribing is aware that they don’t have a valid claim for international protection. This is another example of the abuse we are rooting out in the asylum seeker and refugee management system.”
The home affairs department welcomed the arrest of a home affairs officer working at the Desmond Tutu refugee reception centre in Marabastad, on Tuesday.
The arrested suspects, home affairs official Nhlanhla Mabuza and Bangladesh national Mohammad Hawlader appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on March 30.
According to Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha, Hawlader arrived at the home affairs offices for an extension of his asylum documents and met Mabuza in her office.
“The head of security happened to pass next to Mabuza’s office and saw money exchanging hands. He approached them and found Mabuza in possession of R500.”
Home affairs minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said Mabuza allegedly took a bribe of R500 to extend the validity of the asylum permit of Bangladeshi national, Hawlader whose application for international protection was being appealed at the Refugee Appeals Authority of SA (RAASA).
Motsoaledi said the security guard confronted the two and called the counter-corruption branch of the Department of Home Affairs. The two were arrested by the Hawks.
He welcomed the arrest of a refugee status determination officer (RSDO), who is legally mandated to adjudicate applications of asylum seekers looking for refugee status.
“Bribing an official for a service that is available for free suggests that the person bribing is aware that they don’t have a valid claim for international protection. This is another example of the abuse we are rooting out in the asylum seeker and refugee management system,” he said.
Motsoaledi reiterated his call that there is no space for dishonest employees at the Department of Home Affairs.
“I have instructed the department to conduct a speedy, thorough and full investigation into the matter. Action must be taken against anyone who falls foul of the law,” he said.
The suspects were since yesterday, detained in at Pretoria Central police station, while their case has been remanded to April 5, for formal bail application at the Pretoria magistrate’s court.
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