Hawks Arrest Two Over Alleged Fraudulent Birth Registration Scheme

Two suspects, aged 37 and 40, have been arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Crime Investigation (SCCI) unit in Limpopo for their alleged involvement in a fraudulent late birth registration scheme linked to the Department of Home Affairs.

The arrests follow an investigation into an incident that allegedly occurred on 10 July 2019 at the Malamulele Home Affairs office. A Home Affairs official is accused of unlawfully processing late birth registration certificates for two children without following the required legal procedures, allegedly in exchange for an unlawful benefit.

Investigators allege that one of the suspects sought assistance from his cousin to obtain birth certificates for his children after the death of their foreign national mother so they could be enrolled in school. The cousin allegedly provided a copy of her identity document, which was then used to issue birth certificates listing her as the children’s mother.

The alleged fraud was uncovered when a school official noticed discrepancies on the birth certificates during the children’s admission process and reported the matter to the Department of Home Affairs. The case was later referred to the Hawks for investigation.

Arrest warrants were issued for three suspects. Two were arrested in Musina and Tshikhudini, while police are still searching for the third suspect.

The accused are expected to appear in the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court on 27 July 2026 on charges of fraud and corruption.

Limpopo Hawks Provincial Head, Major General (Adv.) Gopz Govender, said the integrity of South Africa’s identity management system depends on strict compliance with the law and warned that officials who abuse public office will face decisive action.