By Everson Luhanga
Three suspects were arrested in Greyville, Durban, on Monday afternoon for operating a secret “Home Affairs” office to conduct illegal marriages between South African women and undocumented foreign nationals.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the office was uncovered in a Crime Intelligence-led operation by officers working with the Metro Police Tactical Support Unit, Sydenham Trio Task Team, and Home Affairs immigration officers.
“The suspects would get hold of identity documents of South African women and marry them to strangers, especially undocumented foreign nationals, so that the fake husbands would attain South African citizenship,” he said.
Netshiunda said preliminary investigations had identified a Home Affairs official working with the suspects. “More arrests cannot be ruled out as investigations unfold.”
He said several application forms, copies of identity documents and electronic devices were seized.
“Two men will be charged with fraud, and the woman will face a charge of defeating the ends of justice after she attempted to conceal evidence by tearing some of the documents and throwing them into a bin.”
The three suspects are set to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 30 October.
Pictured above: The arrested suspects.
Source: SAPS
