Five people have been captured for being part of a group that attracts residents South Africa to sell their personal details to foreigners so that they can get SA passports.
On May 19, Mohamed Ali, 36, Christopher Marillier, 38, Nhlanhla Mathebula, 39, Sfiso Kheswa, 30 and Gabriel Samuel van der Merwe, 32, were detained by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation team located in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, and White River in Mpumalanga.
They are now facing charges of corruption, fraud and violating the Immigration Act and will be seen in court later this week for their proper bail application. The suspects appeared at the court of White River magistrate on Friday, May 20 and then the case was postponed to Wednesday for the discussion of their bail application.
Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Capt Dineo Sekgotodi stated, “Investigations disclosed that on October 13 2021, Mathebula conspired with the alleged kingpin, Ali from Pakistan, who recruited South African citizens to propose their personal details in order for foreigners to get South African passports using them in exchange of funds.”
“South African residents would use their details and fingerprints to apply for the passports, but the images of foreign nationals would be the ones captured. This was reportedly encouraged by home affairs officials working after hours. The South African citizens were paid R500 each for the use of their personal details by the foreign nationals.”
Sekgotodi stated Mathebula works at the office of home affairs and said, “More arrests are expected as the investigation persists,” said Sekgotodi.”
Sekgotodi further said that four more accused, whose real names the Hawks are unaware about were using names of South African citizens, were wanted by the Hawks.
She further said that anyone with information about the suspects or their location should contact investigating officers Capt Samson Kolobe on 071-481-3126 and W/O Phelani Twala on 071-481-3437.
