The Department of Home Affairs has intensified its internal crackdown on misconduct, dismissing 38 officials in the past year for offences ranging from fraud to sexual assault, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The latest dismissals, announced on Monday, 28 July, saw five more employees terminated with immediate effect, bringing the total to 38 firings in just 12 months.
As per the South African Government, the purge is part of a broader campaign to root out corruption and criminal activity within the department.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber warned that the era of officials exploiting drawn-out disciplinary processes is over, declaring: ‘The days of defrauding this department or committing acts of sexual harassment while hiding behind bureaucracy are finished.’
Cape {town} Etc Discount Alert!
Unlock Cape Town’s best experiences for half the price! From unforgettable adventures to hidden gems and mouthwatering restaurants, these limited-time deals won’t last long. Snag your discount before they’re gone!
The crackdown isn’t limited to internal disciplinary action. Eight of the dismissed officials have already been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from four to 18 years, while 19 others are currently facing criminal prosecution.
The latest terminations follow last month’s high-profile bust of a passport syndicate in Durban, where two Home Affairs officials and three civilians were arrested. The Ministry stated that these results demonstrate its growing success in dismantling criminal networks both inside and outside the department.
Minister Schreiber issued a stern warning to corrupt officials, emphasizing that swift consequences await those who break the law. He also credited dedicated public servants within Home Affairs for accelerating disciplinary processes, calling them ‘the future of the department.’
‘Committed officials are playing a critical role in cleaning up Home Affairs,’ Schreiber said. ‘We will continue working as Team Home Affairs to remove corrupt elements that belong to the past.’
The Ministry confirmed that the internal clean-up campaign will continue via a social media post on X, with more dismissals and prosecutions expected. The government’s tough stance aims to restore public trust in Home Affairs, which has long been plagued by allegations of inefficiency and corruption.
The dismissal of 38 Home Affairs officials marks a significant step in the government’s anti-corruption drive, signalling a no-tolerance approach to fraud and misconduct. Reports suggest that the crackdown is part of a sustained effort to professionalise the public service and hold wrongdoers accountable, whether through dismissals, prosecutions, or prison sentences.
With 19 more cases still in the prosecution pipeline, the department’s commitment to transparency and accountability remains under scrutiny.
As investigations continue, the public will be watching closely to see if this crackdown translates into a more efficient and trustworthy government institution.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Picture: Gallo Images
