Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber reveals that 15 religious leaders are under investigation for alleged immigration fraud.
According to Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has identified 15 religious leaders—including pastors and prophets—for an investigation into claims that they obtained immigration benefits through irregular, fraudulent, and illegal means.
Schreiber said 10 investigations had been concluded, with eight matters formally referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for consideration of prosecution.
Two cases had been closed after all investigative steps were completed and the matters were satisfactorily resolved, while five investigations remained ongoing, he said.
This comes after African Transformation Movement (ATM) Member of Parliament Thandiswa Marawu asked the minister about the SIU’s findings that certain foreign religious leaders and pastors had allegedly received assistance from officials within the department to obtain visas, permanent residence permits and other immigration benefits through fraudulent means.
