A Bangladeshi man, Saddam Hussain, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of fraud and violating the Immigration Act. The sentencing took place on Monday, 24 June, at the Kroonstad Magistrates’ Court, following Hussain’s fraudulent acquisition of a South African identity document (ID) and passport. Hussain, 22, also aided his partner in obtaining similar documents.
Hussain’s conviction resulted from a detailed investigation led by the Bethlehem Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team and the Free State Department of Home Affairs. The probe revealed that Hussain was involved in multiple fraudulent activities related to identity theft. Compelling evidence led to his sentencing for identity theft and the contravention of the Immigration Act.
The court sentenced Hussain to three years in direct imprisonment for his fraudulent actions and imposed a R2,000 fine for breaching the Immigration Act. Alternatively, Hussain could face an additional eight months in prison for this charge. Furthermore, the court declared Hussain unfit to possess a firearm.
The investigation began in April when authorities uncovered Hussain’s involvement in fraudulent document applications. Hussain had illegally acquired a South African ID and passport by assuming the identity of Sibusiso Ntamo, a South African citizen. He applied for these documents under the false pretext of having lost his original ID and passport in May.
In a coordinated effort, the Home Affairs Counter-Corruption Unit alerted the Hawks, leading to a sting operation. Hussain and his partner were arrested at the Bethlehem Home Affairs office in April while allegedly attempting to assist another foreign national in obtaining fraudulent South African documents. Despite being released with a warning, Hussain attempted to collect his fraudulent smart ID and passport at the Kroonstad Home Affairs office in May, where he was arrested before completing the transaction.
The investigation also revealed that Hussain had worked with his partner to facilitate the illegal acquisition of South African documents, further highlighting the gravity of the fraudulent network. WO Fikiswa Matoti, the provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, confirmed that the conviction and sentencing marked a significant blow to those attempting to unlawfully gain South African identity documents.
The case underscores the ongoing vigilance of authorities in combating document fraud and identity theft, with the Hawks and Home Affairs working closely to disrupt such schemes and protect the integrity of South Africa’s population register.