The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) progress report presented to President Cyril Ramaphosa has exposed a shocking trend of sham marriages being used as a vehicle for foreign nationals to secure permanent residency in South Africa. According to the report, fraudulent marriages and life partnerships are primary mechanisms for immigration fraud, often involving foreign “pastors and prophets” who enter on visitor visas before entering into unions to secure Permanent Residence Permits (PRPs).
The SIU described the immigration system as a “marketplace” where marriage certificates and residency permits are sold for fees ranging from R500 to R3,000. Corrupt officials and religious leaders collaborate to facilitate “marriages of convenience” and fraudulent life partnerships. The investigation uncovered that over 630,000 foreign nationals may be living in South Africa illegally due to these schemes.
How the Scam Works
The investigation, conducted after receiving 2,557 study visa applications submitted by Nigerian foreign nationals to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) between 2021 and 2023, exposed how a foreign national pastor entered South Africa using a visitor’s visa in 2002, and subsequently entered into a life partnership agreement with a South African woman. The Department of Home Affairs has been criticized for its handling of immigration cases.
In one case, a woman was approached by a friend who asked if she was interested in making extra money, adding that a foreign national was offering her money 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.
Consequences of Sham Marriages
The SIU said the woman was provided with a notarial agreement dated December 9, 2003, during the interview, but she indicated she had no knowledge of the document. Another foreign national applied for a PRP in 2004, eight days after marrying a South African man. The application, according to SIU, was based on her marriage to him. Her application for citizenship by naturalization was approved in September 2010, followed by the citizen identity document.
According to the Wikipedia page on immigration to South Africa, the country has a complex immigration system. The investigation has raised concerns about the impact of sham marriages on the country’s immigration system.
- Over 630,000 foreign nationals may be living in South Africa illegally due to sham marriages
- Corrupt officials and religious leaders collaborate to facilitate “marriages of convenience” and fraudulent life partnerships
- The immigration system is described as a “marketplace” where marriage certificates and residency permits are sold for fees ranging from R500 to R3,000
