Home Affairs Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has welcomed the arrest of three Egyptians at the Home Affairs office in Springs, yesterday, 5 November 2009.
The three were apprehended by the police after allegedly attempting to engage in fraudulent marriages with local women. The six women have also been arrested. It is understood that the women were promised monetary compensation for this arrangement.
Addressing a stakeholder forum in the Eastern Cape earlier this week, Minister Dlamini Zuma decried this prevalent practice and warned that the department, in conjunction with other government agencies, will not hesitate to act swiftly to bring to book those suspected of such practices. She called on members of the community to alert authorities should they know of these practices in their areas.
Minister said, “We welcome the arrest and hope that law enforcement agencies will continue to crackdown on such despicable acts. Not only are these women degrading themselves but they also put the security of the country at risk.”
Investigations are underway to determine whether there was any complicity with Home Affairs officials in the matter.
For further information please contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Siobhan McCarthy
Cell: 082 8866 708
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
5 November 2009
Source: Department of Home Affairs (http://www.dha.gov.za/)
