Ex-Home Affairs employee convicted on 264 passport-fraud charges

A former Department of Home Affairs employee has been convicted on 264 counts of fraud, corruption and immigration-related offences linked to the alleged fraudulent issuing of South African passports to foreign nationals.

Tholithemba Malusi Mlondo, 34, was found guilty in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday of 66 counts each of fraud, corruption, contravening the Immigration Act and contravening the Identification Act.

The charges relate to activities between February 2022 and July 2023, when a group of South African citizens allegedly facilitated the fraudulent acquisition of South African passports by foreign nationals at the department's Pietermaritzburg office.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the activities took place outside normal operating hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays, when Home Affairs offices were officially closed.

The alleged activities prompted an investigation by the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation unit.

Mogale said Mlondo's conviction reflected ongoing efforts to investigate unlawful activities affecting the Department of Home Affairs.

Mlondo has remained in custody since his arrest.

The matter was postponed to November 13, 2026, for a pre-sentencing report. Mlondo was remanded in custody pending the next court proceedings.