18 corrupt Home Affairs officials sacked

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The Department of Home Affairs has fired eighteen officials, with immediate, for a range of offences including fraud, corruption and sexual harassment.

Among irregularity committed includes granting of identity documents, solemnisation and registration of marriages, processing of passports, birth certificates, approval of visa applications and extension of asylum seeker permits.

According to the department, a further four officials were issued with final written warnings – two of which carry a one and three months salary suspension, respectively.

Minister Dr Leon Schreiber, said another two officials received written warnings.

He added that the dismissals and disciplinary action follow the conclusion of all mandated human resource and appeals processes by the department.

“The dismissal and disciplining of errant officials are the result of the further intensification of the Department’s clampdown on corruption, fraud and maladministration.

“The dismissals follow from a series of recent convictions, and reflect the intensification of cooperation between the Department of Home Affairs, the Special Investigating Unit, and the Hawks.

“Where prosecutable offences have been committed, the dockets will be referred for criminal prosecution, while Home Affairs also continues to work on measures to recover ill-gotten gains from perpetrators,” he remarked.

The minister highlighted that these dismissals send a clear and unambiguous message that the days where acts of fraud and corruption are committed with impunity against Home Affairs, are over.

Home Affairs upholding the rule of law

He continued; “Dismissals and prosecutions are set to continue ramping up until we have squeezed crime and corruption out of the system.

“I want to thank the various law enforcement agencies that are supporting Home Affairs, as well as committed members of management, for increasingly turning our shared commitment to zero tolerance for corruption into a concrete reality.

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“Those who cheapen and defraud our country are learning the hard way that there is nowhere to hide from a reinvigorated Home Affairs that is committed to upholding the rule of law and delivering dignity.”

Schreiber stated that as the country is preparing to observe 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide from Monday, he welcomes the department’s stance on the fight, as expressed through the speedy dismissal of an official for sexual harassment.