Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has revealed that their department is investigating 120officials for their involvement in awarding fraudulent refugee statuses.This after the department discovered controversial pastor Shepherd Bushiri?s fraudulent permit to be in the country when he was based in South Africa.

INVESTIGATIONS BY SIU

Motsoaledi explained that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) will probe the matter. The SIU raided five refugee centres across the country on Friday including the Marabastad Home Affairs for a search and seizure operation where cellphones and other gadgets were seized as part of the investigation into alleged corruption by home affairs officials.

"A whistleblower brought this corruption to our attention. I then put up the Lubisi Report and from the results of that report, I realised that we must call SIU because there are many things that need their skill. The corruption is done by officials here with foreign nationals who don't deserve to be in South Africa but who have got lots of money to bribe."

ACQUIRING PERMITS ILLEGALLY AND UNLAWFULLY

He added, "The whistleblower also stated that the officials bypass immigration systems to enable foreign nationals who have entered the country illegally to remain in the country and acquire permits illegally and unlawfully."

Motsoaledi added that the corruption includes documents awarded to asylum seekers dating back to 2004.

The raids come after the SIU was given powers in February to investigate maladministration and corruption over the past 20 years within the home affairs department.