THE five immigration officers who were suspended after allegedly being linked to irregularities in the issuance of residence permits have been formally charged.
This followed an internal investigation that lasted about five months. The development in the matter was revealed by Ministry of Home Affairs Communications Officer Mlandvo Dlamini yesterday.
He had been asked about progress in the internal investigations that the ministry had previously announced.
On April 8, the ministry informed the public that the five immigration officers were placed on temporary suspension pending internal investigations into alleged irregularities in the issuance of residence permits.
The suspended officials are; Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Sandile Mazibuko, Senior Immigration Officer Victor Jabulani Mkhabela, Assistant Immigration Officer Misiwe Jele, Assistant Immigration Officer Sihle Nkosi and Assistant Immigration Officer Ayanda Khumalo. The ministry’s Principal Secretary Nhlanhla Nxumalo revealed that preliminary findings linked the officers’ user IDs to suspected illegally issued permits.
However, he noted that the officers remained innocent until proven guilty.
He said their suspension was only a precautionary measure to ensure a transparent and uninterrupted investigation.
Dlamini said the internal investigation was completed and the officers were formally charged and are awaiting trials.
“All necessary information and evidence was forwarded to the relevant department for further action,” Dlamini said.
While he reiterated that the five officials were presumed innocent until proven guilty, Dlamini also assured the nation that the ministry would continue rooting out strands of corruption to ensure that the public gets the expected quality service.
“We assure the nation that the integrity of the ministry and government is restored. It displeases us to learn that some officials issue government documents without following due process,” stated Dlamini.
He was further asked what measures were put in place by the ministry to prevent similar alleged malpractice in the issuance of official documents while these cases were being handled.
Responding, Dlamini said the ministry would continue doing random audits which he said would help to quickly spot anomalies and possible corruption.
“Once services of the ministry are digitised, we hope that corruption cases will be decreased as face-to-face interaction between our officers and the public will be minimal,” Dlamini said.
To bring the minister’s vision to reality, Dlamini said the ministry banked on the support by stakeholders, including parliamentarians.
On another note, Dlamini thanked the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for continuously supporting the ministry in dealing with corruption cases.
He noted that recently, the commission concluded the case of dismissed Assistant Regional Civil Registrar Nonhlanhla Malambe.
Her dismissal followed a disciplinary inquiry linked to the fraudulent issuance of an Eswatini birth certificate and ID card to South African businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.
Dlamini acknowledged that Malambe’s tenure was marked by a clean working ethic, and said it was unfortunate that she was found in the middle of the illegal issuance of the official government document.
“She was dedicated to her work and we treasured her contributions to the ministry during her tenure. We are therefore saddened that she was found to have been involved in the crime. Nonetheless, the law took its course,” Dlamini said.
When asked if the posts of assistant immigration officer and assistant civil registration officer that were advertised by the commission were to replace dismissed officials, Dlamini said this was not the case. Instead, he said they were conducted to fill available vacancies.
