Inside The R16 Million Home Affairs Scandal: How Low-Level Officials Turned Visas Into Cash

South Africans are once again grappling with the uncomfortable truth that corruption is not only found in high political offices but also embedded in everyday service departments meant to serve the public. A new investigation by the Special Investigating Unit has peeled back the curtain on a network of Home Affairs officials who allegedly turned visas and residency permits into a lucrative side business.

A Corruption Scheme Hiding In Plain Sight

At the centre of the investigation are four Home Affairs officials who each earn under R25,000 per month. According to acting SIU head Leonard Lekgetho, these same officials 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.

The probe, authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa under Proclamation 154 of 2024, suggests that these officials abandoned their duties in favour of selling approvals to the highest bidder. Instead of legitimate adjudication processes, applications were reportedly sent through WhatsApp for quick turnaround and faster payouts.

Lekgetho described it plainly: once an application was approved, money followed almost immediately.

How The Money Moved

The SIU found that the syndicate operated with simple but effective tactics. Payments were never sent straight to the officials. Instead, they were quietly filtered through accounts belonging to their spouses. Transaction references like “Permit,” “Visa Process,” or even “Building Material” were used to make the deposits look harmless.

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. These examples show clear patterns: approvals went out, and money came in.

A Lifestyle That Didn’t Match The Payslip

Beyond the smaller deposits, investigators uncovered even more alarming financial activity. One official’s spouse owned a construction company that received R8.9 million between 2020 and 2023. Many payments referenced permanent residence permits, including at least R185,000 linked directly to PRP applications.

The SIU also found that some officials had bought properties in cash and funded high-end home developments, despite earning less than many entry-level office workers. Lekgetho pointed to one case where an official built a mansion and even paved a road to her home. Her monthly salary: R25,000.

Why This Matters For Ordinary South Africans

South Africa’s immigration system is already under immense pressure. From long queues at Home Affairs branches to businesses struggling with critical skills visas, the system’s integrity is crucial to both the economy and the country’s global reputation.

This investigation reveals far more than individual greed. It exposes a system vulnerable to manipulation and shows how a handful of officials can undermine national policy for personal gain.

The SIU’s conclusion was blunt: South Africa’s visa system was treated as a commodity. It was sold, traded, and laundered.

A Long Road To Rebuilding Trust

While the SIU continues its work, the revelations have once again raised questions about internal controls, oversight, and whether South Africans can trust the departments meant to safeguard national security. For many, the story feels painfully familiar. Corruption at this scale doesn’t just break rules; it chips away at public faith.

Lekgetho summed it up best: integrity was betrayed.

Further arrests, disciplinary actions, and possibly asset seizures are expected as the SIU widens its investigation. For now, South Africans are left watching yet another corruption scandal unfold, hoping that this time, accountability will follow.

{Source:IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com