The Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation in collaboration with the National Prosecution Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit has resulted in a preservation order being granted for two vehicles valued at over R518 000-00.
The order stems from a fraud and corruption case that was registered at the Krugersdorp police station in March 2022.
The Johannesburg High Court sitting on Monday, 20 February 2023, ordered that two Toyota Fortuners be preserved pending the finalisation of the criminal case.
The background of the case is that on the evening of Tuesday, 24 March 2022. A multidisciplinary team led by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation conducted an operation at the offices of Department of Home Affairs in Krugersdorp.
Home Affairs officials were implicated in issuing fraudulent passports to foreigners using citizen’s details.
South African from poor backgrounds were reportedly approached with cash offers to use their fingerprints to process the said passports.
The recruitment for citizens was wide spread across provinces.
The syndicate which comprises of mostly Somalians Nationals and South Africans was using the said vehicles belonging to an alleged kingpin to transport the recruits to the Home Affairs premises.
The payments ranged between R5 000-00 to R10 000-00 in order to assist with the processing and issuing of fraudulent documents. The criminal case is continuing in court against the bulk of over 20 accused in attendance.
