Former Home Affairs official convicted on 264 counts in passport fraud scheme - IOL

Former Home Affairs employee Tholithemba Malusi Mlondo, 34, has been convicted on 264 counts of fraud, corruption and immigration-related offences linked to the fraudulent acquisition of South African passports.

A former Home Affairs employee has been convicted on 264 counts of fraud, corruption and immigration-related offences linked to a scheme in which foreign nationals allegedly fraudulently obtained South African passports at the department’s Pietermaritzburg office.

Tholithemba Malusi Mlondo, 34, was found guilty in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday, on 66 counts each of fraud, corruption, contravention of the Immigration Act and contravention of the Identification Act.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the offences were linked to activities that took place between February 2022 and July 2023, when a group of South African citizens allegedly facilitated the fraudulent acquisition of South African passports by foreign nationals.

“These unlawful activities took place outside of regular business hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays, when the DHA offices were officially closed,” Mogale said.

The activities triggered an investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit.

Mlondo was convicted on 66 counts of fraud, 66 counts of corruption, 66 counts of contravening the Immigration Act and 66 counts of contravening the Identification Act.

Mogale said the conviction was “evident of the ongoing efforts in the Serious Corruption Investigation’s fight against unlawful activities that are plaguing the Department of Home Affairs in the country”.

Mlondo has remained in custody since his arrest.

The matter was postponed to November 13, 2026, for a pre-sentencing report.

Mlondo was remanded in custody pending the next court proceedings.