Question NW2003 to the Minister of Home Affairs
31 May 2022 - NW2003
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether, following the arrest of the Pakistani national who was running a syndicate producing fake Identity Documents (ID) and passports, and in light of daily reports of persons who are in possession of fake South African documents, he will consider launching a review of the authenticity of all IDs, passports and residency permits on the database of his department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
When fraudulent documents are detected the Branch Civic Services refers such cases to the Branch: Counter Corruption and Security Services if it involves the Departments officials and/or to Branch: Immigration Services (Inspectorate division) if it entails investigation of foreign nationals. Otherwise cases are referred to the South African Police Services (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies.
Upon conclusion of the investigations conducted by the above institutions, and when the outcome renders the enabling documents to be fraudulent, the Department follows a process to set markers to block, nullify and to cancel the fraudulently issued identity documents and passports on the National Population Register(NPR) as a means to maintain the credibility of the system in the Republic.
Furthermore, the Immigration Service Branch within the Department is also involved to flag such documents on the Movement Control System (MCS). As a result a note verbale is also published and circulated through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) as a means to communicate to foreign countries regarding fake or fraudulently issued passports and identity documents.
END