27 January 2006
The Department of Home Affairs wishes to announce the arrests, and the
subsequent suspensions, of four of its officials based at the Cape Town Refugee
Reception Office.
The officials were arrested yesterday (26 January 2006).The four officials
were arrested on charges of contravening the country's Immigration Act after it
was suspected that they were aiding and facilitating the illegal sojourn of
Egyptians into the country without authorised documents.
The arrests follow an intensive two-year joint operation by the Department
of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service, the National Prosecution
Authority and the National Intelligence Agency.
Earlier this month, two other officials based in the Vaal Triangle area were
arrested on charges of corruption. In the process 33 illegal Egyptians were
arrested.
The Department wishes to reiterate its stance against corruption in all its
forms and manifestations. We wish to unequivocally state that the Department is
not corrupt. However, there are pockets of corruption within the Department.
The long arm of the law will deal with them.
Similarly, we wish to urge members of the public to refrain from assisting
illegal immigrants or inducing the offices of the Department to do so. We urge
members of the public to call the Government's Anti-Corruption Hotline on
0800 701 701 to report acts of corruption.
For inquiries please contact: Acting Director: External Communications
Mantshele wa ga Tau
Cell: 082 802 4814
Tel: (012) 810-6315
Fax: (012) 810-7316
E-mail:mantshele.tau@dha.gov.za
Website: http://www.dha.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
27 January 2006
