A bombshell government investigation has exposed how a network of South African Home Affairs officials turned the country’s immigration system into a corrupt marketplace for over two decades.
They sold visas and permanent residence permits to the highest bidder and amassing millions of rands in illicit wealth.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) said its investigation revealed that South Africa’s immigration system had been treated as a marketplace where permits and visas were sold to the highest bidder.
Acting SIU head Leonard Lekgetho said during a press conference:
“The investigation reveals that the country’s borders were not protected by law but auctioned off through corruption. South Africa was being sold one permit at a time.”Â
The investigation, ordered by President Cyril Ramaphosa, examined corruption involving visa issuance from 2004 to 2024, before the current coalition government took power.
Staggering
Investigators traced broader financial gains exceeding R181 million from fraudulent applications backed by fake documents.
At the heart of the scandal is a group of low-level officials living far beyond their means.
Four Home Affairs officials, each earning under R25,000 per month, somehow accumulated direct deposits totalling more than R16.3 million.
The math alone tells a story, but the SIU’s findings paint an even darker picture.
In one case, a permit approval on 20 December was followed by a R3,000 deposit into a spouse’s account the next day.
On another occasion, R6,000 arrived just days after two permits were approved.
One official built a mansion and paved a road to her home on a monthly salary of R25,000.
How the Scheme Worked
Applications were sent via WhatsApp for expedited approval and, once approved, payments followed almost immediately.
Payments were concealed in multiple ways: cash hidden inside application forms with office doors closed to avoid surveillance cameras; e-Wallet deposits using non-RICA-registered numbers; and asylum seekers sending e-Wallet payments to themselves and sharing OTPs with officials.
In a parallel investigation, the SIU found prima facie evidence of DNA sample swapping and manipulation intended to favour foreign nationals applying for Permanent Residence Permits.
The probe implicated several prominent foreign nationals, including self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri, Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso, and Nigerian rapper Prince Daniel Obioma, known as 3GAR.
The SIU alleged these individuals worked with Home Affairs officials to manipulate documentation and secure fraudulent permanent residency.
Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso obtained a work permit under false claims, saying he was from a country he had no ties to. This allowed him to enter South Africa and later face charges for serious crimes including human trafficking and rape.
Government’s Response
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber described the findings as exposing the deepest failures within the department, calling the report a turning point.
Since April 2025, 20 officials have been dismissed, 75 disciplinary cases have been completed, and the National Prosecuting Authority has received 275 criminal case referrals.
The department has also flagged more than 2,000 study visas obtained fraudulently.
The SIU recommended strengthened contract management, employee vetting, system integration across departments, stricter verification processes, and enhanced quality assurance mechanisms before visa issuance.
