Issued by: Office of the Public Protector
8 March 1999
The Public Protector, Adv S A M Baqwa SC, called an urgent meeting this morning with the Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs, Mr a Makoena and the head and deputy head of the Johannesburg Regional Office, Messrs D Buthelezi and Makgalenela. The aim of the meeting was to discuss reports of the fraudelent issuing of identity documents from the Harrison Street office in Johannesburg.
Adv Baqwa expressed strong concern at the turn of events and said: "We are aware of the Department's efforts to create a fraud-free environment, particularly with regard to the elections. It is therefore nothing short of shocking to find that the process is being undermined from inside. We take this in a very serious light."
The Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs offered a full report and provided details of the internal investigation which had already been initiated by the Department and its internal anti-corruption unit.
Discussions centered around details regarding the initial steps of the investigation. The Public Protector expressed appreciation for Mr Mokoena's "zero tolerance" approach to allegations of corruption within the Department. Mr Mokoena also undertook to keep the office of the Public Protector informed of all further developments.
Adv Baqwa said that he was confident that the Department would give full co-operation, but that his office would at the same time be pursuing its own investigation.
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