Home Affairs rocked by corruption, graft & s.e.x scandal

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration has once again been rocked by corruption, a job for pals and s.e.x scandal involving a senior official at the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).

Chief director of Inspectorate Immigration DHA, Modiri Matthews is reported to be embroiled in alleged corruption and involved in a romantic relationship with a former employee of the department who was also investigated for corrupt activities.

Matthews is the brother of International Relations and Co-operation, and Cabinet Minister Dr Naledi Pandor.

According to DHA employees who wanted to remain anonymous to avoid being victimised, being related to the minister has been working to his advantage.

“In May this year, Matthews was served with a letter of suspension for alleged corruption, but after his sister intervened, it was withdrawn,” said a DHA employee who asked to remain anonymous because of fear of reprisals.

The source also alleged that Matthews had been in a romantic relationship with DHA deputy director Zulekha Hassim for five or six years. However, last month she resigned from the DHA and got a new position as a director in the Presidency.

According to her Facebook information, Hassim has mentioned that she is a former DHA manager.

Another source said it couldn’t be a coincidence that Hassim was rolling with influential people, and that this was why she landed the job at Ramaphosa’s office.

The employees made allegations that the two had in the past been instrumental in doing favours for foreigners in getting visas, permits, including for permanent residence application.

Independent Media is in possession of images where Hassim is seen dining with people who appear to be foreign nationals and ANC bigwigs.

“There had been incidents where Hassim sent an email to the permits section and CC’d Matthews requesting approval of a visa and permit application for a foreigner who, in return, paid R15 000 into her account. It was approved in 2019.

“She was investigated for giving a foreign national permanent residence, but the case was quashed after a senior official (became) involved.

“Matthews was handed a suspension letter and it was withdrawn the following day after Pandor spoke with DHA Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.

“The reason for the suspension was regarding the matter of foreign nationals who occupied a church in Cape Town. He neglected his duty,” said another source.

“Modiri was required to deport Cape Town homeless refugees from African countries who occupied the church.

But he (gave instruction for) the release of refugees from Lindela Centre, as well as children, women and men dumped outside the UN building in Pretoria without food and accommodation, and didn’t inform the UN office.

“A complaint was sent to DHA by the UN Office for Human Rights and Dignity Violations,” said another source.

DHA spokesperson Siyabulela Qoza acknowledged receipt of questions sent to him, but he had not responded by the time of going to print.

Corruption and sex scandals have been rife at the department in recent months.

Last week, Independent Media reported that deputy director Counter-Corruption & Security at DHA, Eric Nendauni, based at the head office in Pretoria, was accused of corrupt activities which Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi seemed to be ignoring.

Various whistle-blowers have approached Independent Media to expose what they called corruption after they attempted to reach out to Motsoaledi and other top officials without success.

Independent Media is in possession of two emails from whistle-blowers attempting to alert Motsoaledi, as well as deputy director-general: counter corruption & security services advocate Connie Moitse and other senior officials to no avail.

According to the sources, Moitse was aware of Nendauni’s alleged activities. They went as far as labelling him as “her runner”.

The sources also alleged that Moitse was powerful and enjoyed protection from Motsoaledi.

“It is alleged that Nendauni collects bribe money to a tune of R20 000 from his colleagues from the permit and ID sections to overlook their illegal issuing of IDs and permits to foreign nationals. Instead of charging them, he takes money to protect their illegal activities,” said the whistle-blower.

It is alleged that Nendauni had cases allocated to him to investigate the issuing of permits to foreign nationals without proper procedures and documentation. He decided to take R20,000 from each colleague and cases were closed without them being charged, it is claimed.

–TheStar

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