The African Transformation Movement (ATM) said it stands resolutely against the fraudulent activities that undermine the integrity of the nation and the rule of law.
This after two Ethiopian nationals Mike Alex Abete, 38, Abdo Mustefu Musa, 44, and Lindiwe Kubheka, 45, a South African, were arrested by the Hawks Secunda-based Serious Corruption Investigation for fraud and theft.
The arrests in Mpumalanga follow information that was received from crime intelligence regarding foreign nationals who were colluding with an alleged bogus Home Affairs official, stamping expired passports.
An operation was initiated in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act and Abete was paid R20 000 to stamp expired passports.
An agreement was reached for the collection of the stamped passports but Abete did not honour the agreement.
Warrants for arrest, search and seizure were authorised and then subsequently executed on Monday.
Abete was arrested, then the search and seizure warrant was executed.
During the search, a considerable amount of Department of Home Affairs and Department of Transport documents were found and seized.
The Hawks said the documents will be handed to the departments for analysis. During questioning, Abete disclosed that the money and passports were given to Musa.
When Musa was approached, he agreed that he received the passports and R5 000 from Abete which he further handed to Kubheka.
Kubheka was approached and she confirmed that passports and R2 500 was received by her. The team conducted a search and seizure operation and three passports were found and seized.
The accused appeared in the Eerstehoek Magistrate’s Court at Elukwatini on Tuesday. They were granted R3 000 bail each and the case was postponed to November 5 for further investigation.
The Provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Nicholas Gerber, commended the swift response by the team which led to the arrests and seizure of the documents.
”As the Hawks, we shall never get weary when coming to fulfilling our mandate. We shall investigate and arrest perpetrators of crime,” said Gerber.
ATM said they are deeply disturbed by the arrests of three individuals.
“This incident not only highlights the alarming collusion between foreign nationals and South Africans in criminal activities but also underscores the urgent need for a collective stand against such corruption,” said ATM president Vuyo Zungula.
“The Hawks’ swift action in apprehending these individuals is commendable and reflects the dedication of our law-enforcement agencies to uphold justice. The operation, initiated based on credible intelligence, revealed a disturbing scheme involving the stamping of expired passports by a bogus Home Affairs official.”
Zungula said the fact that these individuals were willing to exploit the country’s systems for personal gain is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the borders and the need for stringent measures to protect the sovereignty.
“We call for the harshest possible sentences for those involved in this fraudulent scheme. It is imperative that the judicial system sends a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated. Those who treat our country as a banana republic must understand that their actions have consequences. We will not stand idly by while our nation is undermined by greed and corruption, whether from foreign nationals or South Africans who collude with them,” Zungula said.
Moreover, ATM demand life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for South Africans found guilty of selling fraudulent documents. Zungula said their actions compromise national security and constitute acts of treason against the country.
“The ATM calls for the full release of the Lubisi report, which contains a list of all individuals who obtained South African documents fraudulently, and for decisive action to be taken against all implicated individuals. We also advocate for the thorough cleaning of the South African population register to ensure its integrity,” he said.
ATM urged all citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that may compromise the integrity of institutions.
Zungula said the party stands firm in its commitment to a transformed and just South Africa.
“We will continue to advocate for the rule of law and the protection of our national interests. Let this incident serve as a wake-up call to all who would conspire against our nation: we are watching, and we will not allow our country to be undermined.”
The Star