Two Home Affairs officials accused of allegedly selling fraudulent South African passports to foreign nationals have appeared before the Germiston Magistrates’ Court, months after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi warned that authorities were closing in on senior officials within the department.
The accused, David Motsamai, 35, and Lufu Mulaudzi, 39, allegedly used the personal details of South African citizens while inserting photographs of foreign nationals to facilitate the issuing of passports.
The alleged scheme raises serious questions about the integrity of South Africa’s passport system and the potential misuse of citizens’ personal information.
Mkhwanazi’s warning back in the spotlight
The arrests bring renewed attention to Mkhwanazi’s public remarks about authorities closing in on senior Home Affairs officials.
His warning drew attention to allegations of corruption within the department, which is responsible for managing South Africa’s immigration and identity documentation systems.
However, it has not been established whether Motsamai and Mulaudzi are among the specific officials Mkhwanazi was referring to when he made those remarks.
Both accused released on bail
The two men appeared before the Germiston Magistrates’ Court and were each granted bail of R5,000.
They are expected to return to court on 26 October 2026.
The allegations against the accused have not yet been proven in court, and both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
