RUSTENBURG - Police in Rustenburg are investigating corruption allegations following complaints by some Zimbabwean permit seekers that a number of officials at the South African Department of Home Affairs at the regional offices in Rustenburg are demanding money in exchange for jumping the queue and accessing quicker service. South African Police Services (SAPS) spokesperson in the North West Province, Supt Lesego Metsi, confirmed to The Zimbabwean that they were seriously probing reports of bribery and corruption that had been levelled against some employees of the Home Affairs Department.
There have been a number of reports by several Zimbabweans who are trying to obtain work permits. Most of them have opted to remain anonymous but they are complaining that they are being asked to pay money in order to jump the long queues and obtain forms that they have to fill in, said Metsi.
It is our duty to look into these allegations because it is public knowledge that the ongoing process of documenting Zimbabweans is being conducted free of charge. We would like the public to identify the perpetrators so that our job is made much easier.
We would also like to issue a stern warning to the officials who are taking advantage of the foreigners that if they continue, their days of freedom will be numbered, she added.
Zimbabweans are being asked to pay as much as R200 to be guaranteed that their applications are submitted on the same day. Owing to the huge volumes of people thronging the Home Affairs offices, submitting an application form can take up to two or three days.
The problem is that there are a lot of people willing to bribe the Home Affairs officials and this is creating a lot of problems for some of us who do not have that kind of money. We become stranded because the officials will only deal with the people with money while ignoring those in the queue.
We are only served in the afternoon when there are no longer people with money to bribe them, said one Zimbabwean woman who declined to be named.
It is unfair because time is running out for us to get the permits, she added.
Zimbabwean nationals living in South Africa have been given until December 31 this year to regularize their stay in the country or face the bleak prospect of being deported.
However, the process of documenting and issuing permits to Zimbabweans is very slow and this is fuelling corruption within virtually all the Home Affairs offices throughout South Africa.
The South African Home Affairs Department has long been plagued by allegations of corruption, bribery and fraud and there are a number of cases where some foreigners especially Mozambicans and Nigerians have been able to fraudulently acquire South African Identity Documents (IDs) and passports by offering money to employees working in key positions.
Post published in: News