Police caught five people stealing passports during a weekend raid at Durban offices. The Department of Home Affairs worked with law enforcement to break up the crime ring after citizens reported suspicious activity. Officers arrested a former government worker, a city volunteer, and three regular people who helped with the scheme.
One suspect carried 226 stolen passports from the Umngeni government office. Another person had keys to two different Home Affairs buildings on Commercial Road and at Prospection. The same criminal possessed fake documents that belonged to other people.
All five suspects will face charges at the Durban Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday. Two more criminals connected to this passport theft ring remain free but police are hunting them down. The Home Affairs counter-corruption team started this investigation after receiving tips from the public.
The department fired 33 corrupt workers since July last year for similar crimes. These passport fraud cases continue to hurt ordinary citizens who need travel documents. The arrests show government efforts to stop employees from stealing official papers.
One suspect carried 226 stolen passports from the Umngeni government office. Another person had keys to two different Home Affairs buildings on Commercial Road and at Prospection. The same criminal possessed fake documents that belonged to other people.
All five suspects will face charges at the Durban Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday. Two more criminals connected to this passport theft ring remain free but police are hunting them down. The Home Affairs counter-corruption team started this investigation after receiving tips from the public.
The department fired 33 corrupt workers since July last year for similar crimes. These passport fraud cases continue to hurt ordinary citizens who need travel documents. The arrests show government efforts to stop employees from stealing official papers.
