Former Home Affairs Official Found Guilty Of R10K Bribe In Permit Fraud Case

A former adjudicator in the permit section of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), Phanuel Mokomo, has been convicted of corruption. The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court handed down the verdict on Wednesday, 27 November 2024.

Mokomo was found guilty of offering a bribe of R10,000 to an internal investigator in a bid to halt a probe into his alleged corrupt activities within the department.

Investigations Leading To Arrest

According to Gauteng Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, Mokomo was under investigation for the irregular issuance and approval of permits. In September 2018, Mokomo attempted to bribe the investigator handling his case.

The matter was subsequently escalated to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks. Mogale stated that an entrapment operation was executed in line with Section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977.

“The operation culminated in Mokomo being caught in the act of offering the R10,000 gratification to the internal investigator. He was arrested and charged with corruption,” said Mogale.

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After numerous court appearances, Mokomo was convicted of corruption. His case has been postponed to 18 February 2025 for sentencing.Colonel Mogale emphasised the importance of inter-agency cooperation in combating corruption.

“This conviction underscores the DPCI’s commitment to combating corruption, particularly in cases that threaten the integrity of public institutions such as the Department of Home Affairs. The successful entrapment and prosecution demonstrate the importance of inter-agency collaboration in holding public officials accountable,” Mogale said.

The DPCI reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring public service integrity and rooting out corruption within government institutions.

Recent Dismissals of Corrupt Home Affairs Officials

The conviction follows a series of disciplinary actions taken by the Department of Home Affairs. Last week, the department dismissed 18 officials for offences including fraud, corruption, and sexual harassment.

Home Affairs spokesperson Duwayne Esau confirmed that four additional officials received final written warnings, two of which included salary suspensions ranging from one to three months. Two others were issued written warnings.

“These actions reflect the department’s resolve to uphold accountability and integrity across all levels,” said Esau.

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