Home Affairs Department clamps down on fraud and corruption by foreign nationals

CAPE TOWN - The Home Affairs Department says it’s on a major clampdown on fraud and corruption particularly by foreign nationals attempting to stay in the country.

On Tuesday, the department told Parliament’s portfolio committee that a multi-disciplinary committee is unearthing the extent of the rot and ensuring officials face the consequences.

At least a dozen referrals have been made to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and the Special Investigating Unit.

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The Home Affairs’ multidisciplinary task team is combing through thousands of applications of all visa types.

Investigations have revealed several fraudulent applications have been processed at night or over weekends.

At least a fifth of over 51,000 visa applications initially rejected on suspicion of fraud were subsequently approved.

These are largely applications for worker, business and spousal permits.

Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza brought a team of hired forensic consultants to Parliament. Members of the team are tasked with anti-fraud and prevention strategies.

"They are not just there to deal with cleaning up the environment, but to set up systems that will enable us to make sure whatever would have happened in the past does not happen again."

Study visas are also a major category for fraud.

Over 3,000 study visas have been converted to critical skills visas under a directive by former Minister Malusi Gigaba - before studies have even been completed.