Umm Muhammed Umar

Police have arrested a Pakistan national who had been suspected of fraudulent activities in Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

According to the Citizen, the man was being monitored by the Home Affairs Counter Corruption Branch when it received a tip-off that the suspect was planning to leave the country. He has reportedly acquired a South African ID fraudulently in Gauteng, as well as a passport in Kwazulu-Natal.

Media Officer at the Department of Home Affairs, Siya Qoza, said “On 30 March 2022, he booked a flight to leave out of Cape Town. He then cancelled this ticket before the flight took off. On 31 March 2022, he booked another ticket to leave on the same day.”  The Citizen reports that immigration officers blocked his attempt to check in and called Counter Corruption. Police subsequently arrested the man.

Home Affairs Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, has instructed the Department to speedily finalise the investigation of officials working with the suspect, saying, “We don’t tolerate fraud and corruption, and it is clear that there are members of society who share our resolve and provide reliable tip-offs.” He warned that a multi-disciplinary law enforcement team was watching a number of corrupt Home Affairs officials and syndicates.

Further arrests were expected.