Two home affairs officials in court for allegedly selling fraudulent passports for up to R100,000

Two Home Affairs officials, Aluwani Andries Netshidaulu and Nthombifuthi Phyllis Mokwebo, appeared in the Protea Magistrate's Court after being accused of selling fraudulent passports for up to R100,000, according to prosecutors. The officials were arrested during a law enforcement operation under Project Humulani, an ongoing investigation into a criminal syndicate involving foreign nationals, Home Affairs officials, and South African citizens. They face charges of racketeering, corruption, fraud, and violating the Immigration Act.

Investigators discovered a scheme where the identity details of South Africans were combined with photographs of foreign nationals to obtain illicit passports. The foreign nationals allegedly paid between R50,000 and R100,000 for these fraudulent passports, while Home Affairs officials were reportedly paid between R10,000 and R15,000 per application. Additionally, South African citizens who provided their personal details were reportedly compensated with R500, officials said.

The investigation has led to the seizure of luxury vehicles and the cancellation of several hundred fraudulent passports. Pakistani national Arfan Ahmad, who allegedly had a corrupt relationship with Home Affairs officials, was also arrested and is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence. Ahmad appeared in court alongside the two accused officials.

Both Netshidaulu and Mokwebo were released on R5,000 unopposed bail, and the case was adjourned to November 4, 2026, to allow Ahmad to secure legal representation and for further investigations. Prosecutors stated that more arrests are anticipated as they pursue other individuals linked to the syndicate.