The Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit has arrested three suspects, aged between 37 and 57, in connection with fraud charges related to the irregular issuance of identity documents to unqualified illegal immigrants.
The arrests followed complaints received by an investigator at the Department of Home Affairs on 26 June 2024 and 23 August 2024. An official from the Senwamokgope Home Affairs office reported that two female suspects and one male suspect had allegedly issued Identity Books to illegal immigrants who did not meet the legal requirements, bypassing proper procedures.
The matter was escalated to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU), which conducted a thorough investigation. The cases, registered at Sekgosese Police Station in the Mopani District, were later forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a decision. Warrants of arrest were subsequently issued for all three suspects.
In a coordinated operation spanning Limpopo and Gauteng provinces on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, authorities successfully traced and apprehended the suspects. The accused—Jackson Mashapa Mantlhakga (37), Elisabeth Motshidisi Mokoena (41), and Masesi Yvonne Lebisi (57)—appeared before the Senwamokgope Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 22 May 2025.
During the court proceedings, the case against Mokoena was withdrawn pending further police investigation. Mantlhakga and Lebisi were each granted bail of R2,000, and the matter was postponed to 04 August 2025 for further proceedings.
