_Clerks used real SA citizens’ IDs to issue passports with foreign faces_
BOTHAVILLE – Two Home Affairs officials accused of selling South African passports to 10 Pakistani nationals have been released on free bail.
Larrick Tirick Steward (23), Kamohelo Gordon Sebatane (45) – both administration clerks based in Bothaville – and Thabiso Meshark Seutlwadi (44) appeared in the Bothaville Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 27 October, on charges of fraud, corruption, contravention of the Identification Act and contravention of the Immigration Act.
The court released all three on free bail and transferred the case to the Regional Court for 20 January 2027.
Free State Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti said the scam was uncovered in November 2022 after Home Affairs itself blew the whistle.
“Between January and March 2022, two officials assisted approximately 10 Pakistani nationals with applications for South African passports by using the credentials of South African citizens,” Matoti said.
“The passports were issued with photographs of the Pakistani nationals. Investigations revealed the officials received R10 000 in gratification from the Pakistani applicants in exchange for their assistance.”
In short: Real South African ID numbers, fake foreign faces – and a South African passport in hand.
The Hawks say the investigation is continuing and more arrests have not been ruled out.
The case has again exposed deep rot inside Home Affairs, where identity theft and passport fraud have become a national security crisis.
