South Africa fires 18 Home Affairs officials over fraud, corruption and sexual harrassment

By Mark Ogagan

Eighteen Home Affairs officials have been dismissed for a range of offences from fraud and corruption to sexual harassment.

Another four officials received final written warnings, two of which meant one and three-month salary suspensions, respectively.

Minister Leon Schreiber (Pictured), said the dismissals send a clear message that the days when acts of fraud and corruption are committed with impunity are over.

“The dismissals follow from a series of recent convictions and reflect the intensification of cooperation between the Department of Home Affairs, the Special Investigating Unit and the Hawks.

“Where prosecutable offences have been committed, the dockets will be referred for criminal prosecution, while Home Affairs also continues to work on measures to recover ill-gotten gains from perpetrators.”