A Department of Home Affairs official is on trial after he allegedly sold passports to foreign nationals for up to R3 000 each. (Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi)
A Department of Home Affairs official is on trial after he allegedly sold passports to foreign nationals for up to R3 000 each.
The 34-year-old Malusi Mlondo, who works in the Pietermaritzburg office, was arrested by the Hawks, with the assistance of home affairs counter-corruption members, on Tuesday.
It is alleged that in February 2023, Mlondo processed fraudulent passports for foreign nationals at the department’s Durban office.
READ | Man arrested for allegedly selling fake documents at internet café in Ekurhuleni
On Thursday, KwaZulu-Natal Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said Mlondo allegedly received up to R3 000 per document.
“Internal investigations revealed that he was using details of the South African citizens and the identity photos of the foreign nationals. A fraud and corruption case was reported at Durban Central police stations, and the case dockets were allocated to Hawks members for further investigation,” said Mhlongo.
Mlondo briefly appeared in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Thursday before returning to prison.
The case was postponed to 6 May for a bail application.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.