People online are seething over allegations of government officials selling South African IDs to illegal foreigners via WhatsApp.
This was revealed by one X [formerly Twitter] influencer, who received an anonymous message. The whistleblower revealed that people who work at Home Affairs are selling identity documents for R5,500.
Government Workers Selling South African IDs To Illegal Foreigners On WhatsApp
In a leaked WhatsApp chat, an unidentified person claiming to be Zambian contacted one of the ID facilitators, claiming they got his contact information on Facebook. The Home Affairs staffer revealed that a South African smart ID costs R5,500.
The Department has unique cameras meant to capture pictures of IDs and passports. However, the staffer just asked the potential client to send a half picture so he could process the ID.
The unscrupulous dealer even sent a picture of a sample picture and a processed South African ID. He then requested the client to send through a R1,500 deposit and shared his banking details so he could start working on the ID.
The potential client was from Zambia and asked if this might be a problem, considering he came to South Africa illegally. The dealer assured him he would process the South African ID without incident.
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Fury On Social Media
People online expressed anger and disappointment over how it is easy for illegal foreigners to get South African IDs corruptly.
Munya:
“Imagine doing this to 10 people a day. That’s R55000 x 20 days R1.1m x 12 months = R13.2m. 5 people a day R25k × 20days R500k x 12months R6m. The sad part is the person selling these IDs spends the 💰 recklessly every day. 15-year jail term waiting.
Jan:
“Honestly, if the DA can solve this illegal foreigners issue, they might win. I don’t think they realise how much power they have and how it can benefit their party.”
Ndlela:
“That was faster than a South African child doing an ID @HomeAffairsSA 😭”
Emmanie:
“Someone’s identity is stolen just like that for R5500. What a joke.”