Nearly 40 Home Affairs officials have been arrested over the last year for offences ranging from fraud to sexual.

In the latest takedown, the Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that it dismissed a further five officials, with immediate effect, for offences ranging from fraud to sexual assault on Monday.

This follows on the crackdown on a passport syndicate in Durban last month, where two officials and three members of the public were arrested.

This brings the total number of officials dismissed between July 2024 and July 2025 now stands at 38.

Eight officials have already been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from four to 18 years, while criminal prosecution of another 19 is underway.

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, says these results demonstrate the growing success of Home Affairs in dealing with criminal syndicates both inside and outside the Department.

Home Affairs has dismissed, with immediate effect, a further 5 officials for fraud, corruption and sexual harassment. This brings the total fired in the past year to 38, along with 8 convictions and 19 more in court. We will not rest until the cleanup is complete! 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/FkAUnJvmpZ

— Leon Schreiber (@Leon_Schreib) July 30, 2025

The minister has warned anyone involved in corruption that the days of defrauding the Department, or committing acts of sexual harassment or abuse while relying on long, drawn-out disciplinary processes, are over.

“I would like to thank the diligent officials, including those involved in accelerating disciplinary processes, who are playing a critical role in our work to clean up Home Affairs,” added Schreiber

READ MORE: Home Affairs and SIU work to end corruption at SA borders