Schreiber: SIU probe exposed 'root causes' of visa fraud
The Department of Home Affairs says a report on visa fraud lays bare almost two decades of corruption in the government's visa system.
The Special Investigating Unit on Monday revealed that the country's immigration system was treated as a commodity, with permits and visas allegedly sold, traded, and laundered.
This was after a probe into visa irregularities dating back to 2004.
The SIU says the corruption was organised, deliberate and deeply damaging to public trust.
Minister Leon Schreiber says the investigation's exposed the root causes of visa fraud.
" This didn't start today. It is just the first time that we are seeing it in full colour and fully exposed by the SIU. For the first time, the SIU has helped us indeed to shed light into the deepest and darkest crevices of these processes by exposing both the alleged perpetrators and the systemic loopholes that enable the manipulation."
Schreiber says most of the wrongdoing was allegedly carried out by a handful of officials.
He's confirmed disciplinary processes against those implicated are underway.
"A total of 20 officials have already been dismissed since April last year. I will also be requesting the Director General to write to the Department of Public Service and Administration as well as the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to ensure that these former employees are flagged and that they are not re-employed elsewhere in the state."
Schrieber adds that more than 2,000 study visas issued fraudulently have been identified, and steps are now being taken to cancel them.
ALSO READ
