Home Affairs officials in court over alleged passport fraud

Staff Writer / Tues, 13 October 2026

Two Home Affairs officials are accused of helping foreign nationals allegedly obtain South African passports fraudulently by using the identity details of South African citizens.

David Motsamai (35) and Lufu Mulaudzi (39), who were stationed at the Germiston Home Affairs office in Gauteng, appeared before the Germiston Magistrates’ Court on multiple counts of fraud.

AdvertisementYour business hereAdvertise with News Junction

The pair were granted R5 000 bail each.

The case was postponed to 26 October 2026 for transfer to the Regional Court.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), investigations into the alleged passport fraud syndicate began in 2021 under Project Humulani.

The investigation allegedly uncovered a scheme in which the photographs of foreign nationals were used to replace those of South African citizens while their identity details were retained.

The State alleges that this was done to help foreign nationals obtain South African passports fraudulently and conceal their true identities and immigration status.

Motsamai and Mulaudzi are accused of acting in common purpose with other people, some of whom have not yet been identified by the State.

The charges relate to several alleged incidents involving fraudulent passport applications processed at the Germiston Home Affairs office.

The accused face alternative charges relating to alleged contraventions of the Immigration Act.

The NPA said the investigation was part of efforts to tackle alleged corruption and criminal activity linked to the fraudulent acquisition of South African identity and travel documents.

“The integrity of South Africa’s identity and passport system is critical to maintaining public confidence and protecting the country’s immigration and identity-management systems,” the NPA said.

It added that officials who allegedly abused positions of public trust to facilitate fraudulent access to official documents must be held accountable where evidence supports prosecution.

The NPA said it remained committed to working with law enforcement agencies to dismantle criminal syndicates and protect the country’s identity-management systems.

The accused have not been convicted, and the allegations will be tested in court.

News Junction