Sibongile Mashaba

Sibongile Mashaba

The Department of Home Affairs says more than 200 officials have been charged with corruption in the past two years.

This includes those who produced fraudulent identity documents, birth and death certificates, passports and other documents.

And to help curb the corruption in the department, a special unit has been established to investigate and devise plans and programmes on how to deal with the escalating problem.

Spokesman Mantshele Tau said: "Some of the 200 officials have been dismissed, others suspended while others are still appearing before disciplinary hearings.

"We do have honest and hard-working officials but unfortunately there are those who are corrupt. The department does not tolerate corruption and those who commit the crime will be dealt with accordingly."

He said the public should report ID fraud and should be wary of people posing as Home Affairs officials.

"People should be aware of 'agents' because those people do not work for home affairs."

Tau said there were members of the public who had been arrested for ID fraud.

"The people work with the department's officials and sell fake IDs. The public needs to understand they will be arrested if they are found in possession of fake documents. Charges will be laid against them," Tau said.

He urged the public to report ID fraud by calling 0800701701.

"We are working closely with law enforcement agencies to stamp out corruption and the public can also play a vital role," Tau said.