Pretoria: The Department of Home Affairs has today dismissed six officials with immediate effect for a range of offences, including fraud and corruption. Another six officials were issued with final written warnings. This decisive action forms part of an ongoing effort to cleanse the department of corruption and malfeasance.
According to South African Government News Agency, this latest move brings the total number of dismissals to 33 since July 2024, as the department intensifies its clean-up campaign. Eight officials have already been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from four to 18 years, while the criminal prosecution of another 19 officials is underway.
The recent dismissals are part of the outcomes following the launch of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum. This forum has bolstered the collaboration between Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority (BMA), Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to tackle corruption more effectively.
Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber emphasized the urgency and commitment to eradicating corruption within the department. ‘The speed at which Home Affairs, in collaboration with the SIU, is clearing out corruption from our midst demonstrates that swift progress can be made in the fight against this scourge. I have made it clear to the Department that delays will not be tolerated and that we will not rest until every last corrupt official has been fired,’ he stated.
Dr. Schreiber commended the interdepartmental teams for their efforts in restoring the integrity of the Home Affairs Department. ‘I applaud the interdepartmental teams for their progress in ensuring that we wash the stain of corruption and state capture off of Home Affairs, so that it becomes the proud institution our country deserves,’ he added. The Minister also issued a stern warning to remaining perpetrators, emphasizing that accountability is inevitable.