Department of Home Affairs intensifies anti-corruption crackdown with arrests in KZN and Mpumalanga

Two Home Affairs officials have been arrested for ID fraud and bribery in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. Read more about the department's zero-tolerance crackdown.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 1, 2026, 5:42 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Local News Report

Targeted Stings in Pinetown and Secunda

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA), in collaboration with law enforcement, has executed two high-profile arrests targeting internal corruption. The first operation took place at the Pinetown office in KwaZulu-Natal following an investigation into a fraudulent death registration. During the sting, the suspect was apprehended while attempting to pay a R3,000 bribe to avoid arrest. In a separate operation in Secunda, Mpumalanga, another official was arrested alongside two members of the public. This second group is accused of facilitating the issuance of smart ID cards to foreign nationals who did not meet the legal requirements for citizenship or residency.

Zero-Tolerance Policy Under Minister Schreiber

Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber has reaffirmed a zero-tolerance approach to systemic graft, noting that arrests, dismissals, and disciplinary actions are now occurring on an almost weekly basis. The department characterized the latest stings as essential steps in safeguarding national security systems and restoring public trust in civil documentation. Schreiber warned that all officials found to be compromising the department’s mandate would face decisive legal and administrative consequences.

AI Reviews and Policy Integrity

The crackdown follows recent scrutiny of the department’s internal processes. Home Affairs recently appointed two independent law firms to review policy documents after it was discovered that Artificial Intelligence (AI) had been used inappropriately in their drafting. This broader effort to overhaul departmental standards aims to ensure that both administrative policies and the officials who implement them adhere to strict ethical and professional guidelines.