NPA arrests Home Affairs officials in alleged passport-for-sale syndicate

Two Home Affairs officials appeared in court on 30 September 2026 after an NPA takedown that investigators say exposed a syndicate allegedly selling fraudulent passports.

Who appeared and what they face

According to The Citizen, Aluwani Andries Netshidaulu and Nthombifuthi Phyllis Mokwebo appeared before the Protea Magistrate’s Court on 30 September 2026. They were arrested in an operation linked to Project Humulani and face charges including racketeering, corruption, fraud and contravention of the Immigration Act.

How the scheme is alleged to have worked

The National Prosecuting Authority, via regional spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole, described investigators’ findings.

“Investigators uncovered an alleged scheme in which the identity details of South African citizens were paired with photographs of foreign nationals to facilitate the unlawful issuance of passports,”

The NPA said foreign nationals allegedly paid between R50,000 and R100,000 for fraudulent passports. Home Affairs staff implicated in the scheme were allegedly paid R10,000 to R15,000 per application, while South African citizens whose details were used allegedly received R500.

Co-accused and seizures

According to The Citizen, Pakistani national Arfan Ahmad also appeared in court. The report states he has previous convictions and is alleged to have maintained corrupt ties with Home Affairs staff. The Citizen says the investigation led to the seizure of luxury vehicles and the blocking and cancellation of several hundred passports believed to have been fraudulently obtained.

Bail, next steps and ongoing probe

Netshidaulu and Mokwebo were released on R5,000 bail each. The matter was postponed to 4 November 2026 to allow further investigations and for Ahmad to obtain legal representation, The Citizen reports.

The NPA emphasised that the investigation remains active. Mohlatlole said investigators expect additional arrests as they pursue others allegedly linked to the syndicate and welcomed the progress made in dismantling organised criminal networks undermining state systems.

What is known and what remains alleged

This report summarises allegations and statements as reported by The Citizen and attributed to the NPA. The claims cited here remain allegations unless proven in court.