The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has uncovered a massive immigration fraud scheme in South Africa, with over 630,000 foreign nationals potentially residing in the country unlawfully through sham marriages and life partnerships. According to the SIU’s progress report to President Cyril Ramaphosa, these deceptive marriages are used to secure permanent residency in the country, with corrupt officials and religious figures colluding to arrange “marriages of convenience”.
The report highlights that the system has turned into a “marketplace” where marriage certificates and residency permits are traded for amounts ranging between R500 and R3000. The SIU has recommended that the Department of Home Affairs strengthen its internal controls by vetting all employees, integrating systems with the Department of Labour, and conducting thorough quality assurance checks before issuing any visas.
How the Scheme Works
The scheme involves foreign “pastors and prophets” who enter South Africa on visitor visas and later form sham unions to obtain Permanent Residence Permits (PRPs). In some cases, syndicates obtain the identity documents of South African women and use them to marry undocumented foreign nationals—often without the women’s knowledge or consent. For example, a foreign pastor who entered the country on a visitor’s visa in 2002 later entered into a life partnership with a South African woman, as reported by the Department of Home Affairs.
Case Studies
The report details one case in which a woman was approached by a friend offering her an opportunity to earn extra money. The friend explained that a foreign national was willing to pay her in exchange for marriage. The two met the foreign national near the Chicken Licken outlet near Roodeport, where the foreign national took her identity document and entered the court. He requested her to sign documents that were unknown to her and gave her R400.
In another instance, a foreign national applied for a PRP just eight days after marrying a South African man in 2004, with the application based on that marriage. Her citizenship by neutralisation was later approved in September 2010, followed by the issuing of a South African identity document. The South African National Roads Agency has also been affected by similar schemes.
- Over 630,000 foreign nationals may be residing in South Africa unlawfully
- Corrupt officials and religious figures are colluding to arrange “marriages of convenience”
- The scheme involves trading marriage certificates and residency permits for amounts ranging between R500 and R3000
The SIU’s findings have significant implications for South Africa’s immigration system and the country’s efforts to combat fraud and corruption. As the investigation continues, it is likely that more cases of sham marriages and life partnerships will come to light, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between government agencies.
