The Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit has arrested three suspects, aged between 37 and 57, on 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 without following proper legal procedures.
The matter was referred to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU) for a comprehensive probe. After thorough investigations, registered at the Sekgosese Police Station in the Mopani District, the cases were forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a decision, leading to warrants being issued against all three suspects.
In a coordinated operation spanning Limpopo and Gauteng provinces, the suspects were successfully traced and arrested on Wednesday, 21 May 2025. 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During the court proceedings, the case against Mokoena was withdrawn pending further police investigation.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.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the Anti-Corruption Unit for their diligent work in the investigation.
