Johannesburg – Another instance of fraud and misconduct has been uncovered by the City of Joburg.
This time it involves eight foreign national employees of the Joburg Theatre who are working with fake or expired asylum and work permits in the catering and hospitality sections of the theatre.
This follows the arrest earlier this month of eight licensing and testing station employees who have been released on R5 000 each. A further 98 are expected to be arrested in the near future.
Making the announcement, city mayor Herman Mashaba he had received a report after an investigation, conducted by Nexus Forensic Services, uncovered evidence showing that six asylum permits held by implicated employees were fraudulent while two other permits were said to be have expired by early June 2016.
A case of fraud has been opened with the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the arrest of those implicated is expected soon.
“All those implicated will also face disciplinary action by the city. I have also written to the Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, notifying him of the report’s contents and requesting that his department take steps to detect and prevent criminal activity associated with illegally-acquired immigration documents. This is not only a problem which affects this city,” he said.
South Africa aims to be a welcoming, safe and inclusive destination with bountiful opportunities for all.
“For us to realise this goal, the rule of law must be respected by all those within our borders,” he said.