Home Affairs officials David Motsamai and Lufu Mulaudzi were each granted R5,000 bail in the Germiston Magistrates Court over an alleged passport fraud syndicate. Image credit, Supplied
Two officials facing Home Affairs passport fraud charges appeared in the Germiston Magistrates Court on Tuesday. David Motsamai, 35, and Lufu Mulaudzi, 39, are linked to an alleged syndicate that helped foreign nationals get South African passports. The court granted each of them bail of R5,000.
Both men worked at the Germiston Home Affairs office, where the state says the fraudulent applications went through. They face multiple counts of fraud. In addition, the state has brought alternative charges under the Immigration Act.
The magistrate postponed the case to 26 October 2026. On that date, the matter will move to the regional court.
How the alleged Home Affairs passport fraud worked
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the syndicate used the identity details of real South African citizens. It then allegedly swapped their photographs for those of foreign nationals. As a result, foreign nationals could apply for South African passports under another person’s name.
Gauteng NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said the state believes the scheme helped foreign nationals hide their true identities and immigration status. He also said the two men allegedly acted with other people, some of whom the state has not yet identified. The state further alleges that some passports sold for as much as R100,000 each.
The investigation started in 2021 under Project Humulani. Home Affairs’ Counter Corruption Unit and the Hawks worked on the case together. Meanwhile, the NPA welcomed the progress and said people who abuse public trust must face prosecution where the evidence supports it.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said old manual processes left gaps that criminal syndicates could exploit. However, he said the department’s move to digital systems is now closing those gaps. For example, biometric checks now link applicants to their identities, including at the photograph stage.
Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs chairperson Mosa Chabane also welcomed the arrests. He said action against corrupt officials is key to protecting the population register and national security.
Since the start of the seventh administration, the department says it has fired 98 officials in its anti-corruption drive. Over the same period, 42 officials have faced arrest.
The Home Affairs passport fraud case returns to court on 26 October, when it moves to the regional court.