South Africa’s effort to clean up corruption within the Department of Home Affairs has resulted in another six arrests, this time over the alleged irregular registration of a birth at the Malamulele Home Affairs office in Limpopo.
Two former Home Affairs officials and four members of the public were arrested over the weekend by the Hawks’ Anti-Corruption Unit in Thohoyandou. The arrests followed an investigation conducted by the Department’s Counter Corruption unit.
The six accused appeared in the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing charges of fraud and corruption. They remain in custody and are expected to bring a formal bail application on 4 August 2026.
The case centres on the alleged fraudulent issuance of a late registration of birth. Such registrations are particularly sensitive because they form part of the foundation upon which South African identity documents, passports and access to public services are issued.
According to Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber, the arrests form part of a broader campaign to restore integrity within the Department.
“We are systematically rooting out corruption wherever it exists in Home Affairs,” Schreiber said.
“Together with our law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue anyone who seeks to undermine the integrity of our systems and ensure they face the full consequences of the law.”
Since the beginning of South Africa’s seventh administration, 36 Home Affairs officials have been arrested. The Department has also recorded nine successful convictions, dismissed 65 officials and opened 195 criminal cases with the South African Police Service.
These figures point to the scale of the problem confronting Home Affairs, but also to a more aggressive enforcement effort within a department responsible for some of the country’s most important civic and immigration systems.
“Every arrest strengthens the integrity of South Africa’s identity system and advances our mission to build a modern, ethical and professional Home Affairs,” Schreiber said.
The Minister thanked the Hawks and the Department’s Counter Corruption unit for their continued cooperation in investigating suspected wrongdoing.
For South Africans and foreign nationals who rely on Home Affairs, the consequences of corruption extend far beyond administrative misconduct. Fraudulent identity and civil-status documents can compromise national security, weaken public confidence and create serious difficulties for legitimate applicants attempting to obtain births certificates, identity documents, passports, permits and visas.
New World Immigration welcomes firm action against corruption within Home Affairs. A credible and properly functioning department is essential to protecting South Africa’s identity system while ensuring that legitimate applicants are treated fairly, professionally and without unnecessary obstruction.
The accused have not been convicted, and the allegations against them remain subject to the outcome of the court process.