Keypoints:
- Probe finds visas allegedly sold for cash
- Officials received over R16m in payments
- Digital reforms planned to curb fraud
SOUTH Africa’s immigration system was exploited for years by a small group of officials who allegedly accepted payments in exchange for issuing visas and residence permits, according to findings released Monday by the country’s Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
The government investigation concluded that corruption within visa processing was systematic rather than isolated, enabling insiders to profit while weakening oversight and public confidence in immigration controls.
Two decades of alleged abuse uncovered
The probe, ordered by President Cyril Ramaphosa, examined visa issuance practices between 2004 and 2024, a period covering multiple administrations before the current coalition government assumed office. Investigators say entrenched weaknesses in administrative systems allowed officials to manipulate applications and prioritise those willing to pay unofficial fees.
In a statement, the SIU said it had uncovered ‘a disturbing reality’ in which South Africa’s immigration system was effectively run as a marketplace where permits were sold to the highest bidder.
Officials allegedly received millions
While the SIU did not publicly name those implicated, it reported that four officials collectively received more than 16 million rand (about $1m) through direct deposits linked to corrupt dealings.
Investigators said one official constructed a luxury mansion using illicit earnings, while others purchased multiple properties outright with cash.
‘These findings show that corruption in the visa system is not incidental; it is organised, deliberate, and devastating to public trust,’ the SIU said.
According to the investigation, applications were frequently submitted through WhatsApp channels for expedited approval. Payments were allegedly routed through spouses or relatives to obscure financial connections, while in some cases cash was hidden inside physical application files.
Paper-based system blamed for vulnerabilities
South Africa’s immigration framework has long faced criticism for slow processing times and bureaucratic delays, conditions analysts say created incentives for bribery and informal payments.
The SIU noted that applicants seeking faster outcomes or exemptions from requirements were often encouraged to pay bribes to bypass standard procedures.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the government is addressing the problem through large-scale digital reform designed to reduce human discretion in immigration decisions.
‘It is only through systemic reform anchored in digital transformation and the use of modern technology that we can definitively close the space for corruption,’ Schreiber said.
The department is currently migrating toward an electronic travel authorisation platform intended to automate applications and strengthen transparency.
Criminal referrals and disciplinary action
The SIU confirmed it has made 275 criminal referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority for potential prosecution following the investigation’s findings.
Schreiber added that internal disciplinary measures are already underway, with 20 Home Affairs officials dismissed since April last year as authorities intensify anti-corruption efforts.
Officials did not provide timelines for prosecutions but said investigations remain ongoing.
Political pressure grows on reform agenda
The revelations add pressure on Ramaphosa’s administration as the African National Congress faces declining public support amid broader concerns about corruption across state institutions.
Ramaphosa has repeatedly pledged to restore accountability and rebuild trust following years of governance scandals that eroded confidence in public administration.
Analysts say reforms within immigration services will serve as an important test of whether institutional digitalisation can meaningfully reduce corruption risks in government systems.
The SIU stressed that prosecutions alone would not resolve systemic weaknesses, warning that sustained institutional reform will be necessary to prevent similar abuses in future.
