03 November 2020

Minister Aaron Motsoaledi welcomes the arrest of three Home Affairs employees in Sekhukhune in Limpopo.

All three officials are immigration officers. They appeared in the Motetema Magistrate’s Court on 02 November 2020. Onitta Mokoena is a control immigration officer based in Nebo. Puledi Selomo and Emmanuel Ntjana are immigration officers based in Jane Furse. 

The trio are alleged to have demanded a R10 000 bribe when they found an undocumented foreign national instead of arresting him. It is alleged that the amount was reduced to R4 000 and was paid to the trio.

The matter was reported to the Hawks, who collaborated with the Counter Corruption Unit of the Department of Home Affairs, to effect the arrest.

“It is pleasing that law enforcement officers are working together to ensure that rogue officials in the Department are brought to book. I fully support the efforts of law enforcement officers in ensuring that there is no maladministration in the Department,” said Minister Motsoaledi.

The trio have been released on R2 500 bail and are scheduled to reappear in court on 08 December 2020.

“I am hugely disappointed that the three employees are entrusted with enforcing the law. They broke the law they were supposed to enforce,” said Minister Motsoaledi.

The Department has started disciplinary proceedings against all three employees. 

The Minister encourages anyone who may have information about corrupt or any other criminal activities to contact the SA Police Service or the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Department.

People with information can contact the following:

• National Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 701 701
• Home Affairs Counter Corruption Unit on 012 406 4318

Enquiries:

Siya Qoza, ‪082 898 1657 (spokesperson for the Minister of Home Affairs)
David Hlabane, ‪071 342 4284 (media manager for the Department of Home Affairs)

ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS