Free State Home Affairs officials accused of helping Pakistani nationals obtain SA passports

Larrick Tirick Steward, 23, Kamohelo Gordon Sebatane, 45, and Thabiso Meshark Seutlwadi, 44, made a brief appearance on Tuesday. They were formally charged with fraud, corruption, contravention of the Identification Act and contravention of the Immigration Act.

The case concerns allegations dating back to 2022 and is being investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks.

Alleged passport application scheme

According to Hawks provincial spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti, the investigation followed a complaint made by the Department of Home Affairs.

The complaint was received by the Welkom-based Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation detectives in November 2022. It alleged that, between January and March that year, two Home Affairs administration clerks based in Bothaville helped approximately 10 Pakistani nationals apply for South African passports.

The applicants are alleged to have used the credentials of South African citizens during the application process. The Hawks’ investigation further found that the passports were issued with photographs of the Pakistani nationals, rather than the South African citizens whose credentials were allegedly used.

These allegations form the basis of the charges against the three accused. At this stage, the claims remain allegations and will be tested through the court process.

Officials allegedly received R10,000

Matoti said the Home Affairs officials allegedly received R10,000 in gratification from the Pakistani applicants in exchange for their assistance.

The alleged payment is central to the corruption charge. In general terms, a corruption case involving public officials examines whether an official used their position improperly in exchange for a benefit. The court will consider the evidence and the circumstances surrounding the alleged applications and payments.

The fraud and statutory charges relate to the alleged use of another person’s credentials and the processing of identity and immigration-related documentation. The specific legal findings will be determined as the matter proceeds before the regional court.

Arrests followed warrants

The trio were arrested after warrants of arrest were issued by the Bothaville Magistrate’s Court. They appeared before the same court on Tuesday and were released on free bail.

Their release on bail does not amount to a finding on the merits of the case. It allows the accused to remain out of custody while the prosecution continues, subject to the conditions set by the court.

As with any criminal matter, the accused are presumed innocent unless convicted. The prosecution will be required to present evidence supporting the charges, while the accused will have an opportunity to respond through the legal process.

Case transferred to regional court

Following the brief appearance, the case was transferred to the regional court. The matter has been postponed until 20 January 2027.

The next stages of a case of this nature may include further preparation by the prosecution and defence, the disclosure and examination of evidence, and decisions about how the charges will proceed. Those steps are part of the normal criminal justice process and do not themselves establish whether the allegations are proven.

The case places the focus on the safeguards used when official identity documents and passports are processed. Passport applications rely on accurate identity information and supporting credentials. Allegations that credentials were used by people other than the individuals to whom they belonged therefore raise questions that must be addressed through evidence in court.

It also highlights the importance of accountability when public officials are accused of misusing administrative access. Any finding against the accused would be made by the court after considering the evidence, while any disputed allegation remains subject to the proceedings.

What happens next

The accused are expected to return to court on the postponed date as the regional court process continues. Until then, the Hawks’ allegations remain unproven.

The charges before the court are fraud, corruption, contravention of the Identification Act and contravention of the Immigration Act. The prosecution’s case, the defence response and any later court findings will determine how the matter develops.