False passport syndicate suspects return to court! Seven suspects accused of operating a passport fraud syndicate are expected to appear again in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday.
The group was arrested on Saturday in connection with an illegal operation that allegedly ran between February 2020 and July 2023.
False passport syndicate
Charges and Involvement
The accused face multiple charges, including fraud, corruption, contravention of the Identification Act, and violations of the Immigration Act. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), one of the suspects is a former Home Affairs official who allegedly facilitated the processing of fraudulent passports.
Operations and Victims
The illicit activities reportedly took place after business hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays. The NPA claims the fraudulent passports were issued to undeserving foreign nationals, allowing them to bypass legal immigration procedures.
Next Steps
The suspects are expected to apply for bail and appoint legal representatives during their court appearance.
In other news – Zakes Bantwini graduates from Harvard Business School
Grammy Award-winning artist Zakes Bantwini, whose real name is Zakhele Madida, has added another remarkable achievement to his name — graduating from the prestigious Harvard Business School in the United States.
Known for chart-topping hits like Osama, Imali, and Clap Your Hands, Zakes has proven he’s not only a force in music but also in business. Zakes completed an executive education programme focused on the business of entertainment, media, and sport. Read More
