The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has drawn a connection between a Nigerian rapper, Prince Daniel Obioma also known as 3GAR and a high-profile McLaren supercar crash in Cape Town to serious allegations of visa fraud and illegal re-entry into South Africa, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The SIU’s investigation not only implicates Obioma in unlawful activities but exposes the alarming exploitation of South Africa’s immigration system by a syndicate that treats permits and visas as a commodity.
The incident in question occurred in March 2025, when a McLaren, valued at R3 million, crashed in Sea Point.
At the centre of this investigation is Obioma, who overstayed his visitor’s visa in 2023 and managed to re-enter South Africa without any recorded documentation.
His illegal presence in the country during the McLaren incident raises grave concerns about the efficacy of border management and immigration enforcement in South Africa.
The SIU’s investigation, sanctioned by President Cyril Ramaphosa under Proclamation 154 of 2024, found a disturbing pattern of corruption within the Department of Home Affairs.
It revealed that several officials, once regarded as protectors of the immigration system, abused their positions for financial gain, selling permits to the highest bidder.
This troubling trend was exposed following whistleblower claims that foreign nationals, including Obioma, colluded with corrupt officials to fabricate asylum claims and secure fraudulent residence permits.
Evidence indicates that officials processed visa applications through WhatsApp, facilitating expedited approvals while payments for these bribes channelled through obscure and often deceptive routes.
An extensive search of five Refugee Reception Offices yielded a treasure trove of evidence against a nefarious syndicate operating within Home Affairs. The SIU’s forensic analysis of seized electronic devices unveiled disturbing communication between officials and foreign nationals, with illegal transactions reaching amounts of up to R3,000 per application.
Moreover, reports indicate that four officials, earning a modest salary, had received over R16 million in direct deposits, with property acquisitions and large-scale development projects raising eyebrows regarding the legality of their newfound wealth.
The elaborate strategies employed by officials included using dummy phones to conceal communication and payments made through non-RICA-registered accounts.
These revelations illustrate a sophisticated web of ineptitude and corruption that has transformed South Africa’s immigration system into a marketplace where citizenship is effectively auctioned to the highest bidder.
The SIU’s investigation has emphasised the dire need for reform and an unwavering commitment to eradicate corruption within the immigration framework.
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Nigerian rapper’s reckless driving leads to charges after Sea Point crash
Picture: Nicholas Gotsell / Facebook
