Woman arrested in Gauteng amid Home Affairs passport photo-swap probe

A 46-year-old woman was arrested in Gauteng and was expected to appear in Protea Glen Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in connection with an alleged Department of Home Affairs passport corruption scheme that used photo swaps to make fraudulent applications appear legitimate.

How the alleged scheme worked

Investigators say corrupt Department of Home Affairs officials recruited vulnerable South African citizens and paired them with foreign nationals. The participants allegedly swapped photographs while retaining personal details so passport applications would pass identity checks.

Payments and roles

According to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale, the payments in the scheme were reported as:

• R10,000–R15,000 per application paid to DHA officials
• R500 paid to South African participants who allowed their photos to be used
• R50,000–R100,000 charged to the foreign nationals involved

Investigation: Project Humulani

The investigation is known as Project Humulani, which was registered on 12 April 2022. The probe covered matters in Krugersdorp, Kliptown, Fairlands and Tubatse, and included an enquiry in Germiston.

Enforcement and results so far

Mogale said the operation traced, arrested, convicted and sentenced an alleged kingpin in the Krugersdorp and Fairlands cases to 14 years’ direct imprisonment. The project also led to the seizure of three Toyota Fortuner SUVs and the blocking and cancellation of several hundred passports.

Charges and agencies

The newly arrested woman was expected to face charges of fraud, racketeering, corruption and contravention of the Immigration Act, and investigators said inquiries are ongoing. The takedown involved the Gauteng Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, the DHA Anti-Corruption Unit, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit.

“The operation showed the effectiveness of multi-agency collaboration in dismantling organised crime networks that exploit our immigration systems.” Colonel Katlego Mogale

What happens next

Investigations are continuing. Court proceedings were expected to proceed at the Protea Glen Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in relation to the recent arrest.