By Boitumelo Kgobotlo
JOHANNESBURG — The leader of the African Transformation Movement (ATM), Vuyolwethu Zungula, has called for immediate implementation of stricter border controls and harsher penalties for those involved in passport fraud. His call comes in the wake of recent arrests related to a major passport fraud operation in South Africa.
Among those detained in the operation were Mike Alex Abete and Abdo Mustefu Musa, two nationals from Ethiopia, and Lindiwe Kubheka, a South African citizen. They are accused of participating in a scheme that involved the sale of false identity documents.
According to the Hawks, Abete received R20,000 in exchange for stamping expired passports, a practice that violates immigration laws. The passports, once stamped, were supposed to be returned to the buyers, but Abete reportedly failed to honor his side of the agreement, raising doubts about the entire operation’s legitimacy.
Zungula praised the Hawks for their commitment to tackling document fraud and emphasized that this type of fraudulent activity is an abuse of South Africa’s immigration and identity systems. He stated that the country cannot tolerate fictitious Home Affairs officials facilitating the illegal stamping of expired passports.
“We call for the harshest possible sentences for those involved in this fraudulent scheme,” said Zungula. “It is imperative that the judicial system sends a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated. We cannot let criminals undermine our country for their own benefit.”
Zungula also emphasized that justice should not be determined by nationality, urging that both South African and foreign offenders be treated equally under the law.
He further demanded the immediate release of the Lubisi report, a crucial document that details individuals who have obtained South African identification documents through fraudulent means. Zungula believes that releasing the report will help restore the integrity of South Africa’s population register and remove any unlawfully obtained documents from the system.
“It is essential that we work together to ensure that our country is not a playground for criminals,” Zungula added, calling on all South Africans to support measures that protect the nation’s resources and systems from exploitation.
The ATM leader’s comments highlight the growing concern over corruption and fraudulent practices that threaten the security and stability of the country’s immigration and documentation processes.