South Africa: Home Affairs uncovers widespread irregularities in foreign national vehicle permits
via The Citizen2 min read
The Department of Home Affairs has revealed significant irregularities in Traffic Register Numbers TRNs issued to foreign nationals for vehicle documentation. TRNs are provided to foreign nationals and entities without South African ID numbers to register vehicles, apply for driving licenses, and conduct transactions on the eNatis System. An investigation was launched after 973 TRNs were issued from a small Northern Cape office in four months in 2019, a town with only 12,000 residents, compared to 130 from the province's largest office. Home Affairs found foreign nationals applied for TRNs in the Northern Cape and then duplicates in Cape Town within an hour, often using the same address. Forensic investigator Maria Mnisi noted that eNatis could capture applications without ID information and lacked mechanisms to verify submitted documents. Cross-referencing over a million TRNs issued between January 2000 and July 2023 against Home Affairs' systems showed that only 2.7% matched the National Immigration Identification System, and 747,350 were unmatched against the Visa Adjudications System. Of the 29,653 TRN recipients with files on the NIIS, only 1,677 were legal, with the rest providing false information. TRN holders allegedly used fraudulently obtained TRNs to acquire luxury vehicles, including 40 "elite supercars" and 327 Porsches, even after visa application rejections. Gauteng saw 244 Porsches, six Bentleys, four Lamborghinis, five Ferraris, and a McLaren purchased with T
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Citizen.
EFF leader Julius Malema stated his party will not form alliances with the Democratic Alliance DA or the Freedom Front Plus FF+, describing such a move as undermining a progressive agenda. He made these comments while addressing delegates at a conference of the Botswana National Front BNF. Malema also spoke against anti-illegal immigrant sentiment in South Africa, advocating for the unity of all African states and emphasizing the interconnectedness of SADC countries. He expressed pleasure at being in Botswana, noting that his 13-year travel ban to the country, which stemmed from accusations of attempting to ignite regime change, was lifted in 2024.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has called for long-term investment in education initiatives from businesses and civil society, emphasizing that Mandela Day efforts should create lasting benefits for schools beyond symbolic gestures. Speaking at Giyani Primary School in Soweto during a Mandela Day event, Gwarube inspected a new classroom block donated by Absa and facilitated by Ride4Hope, with Aspen also contributing. She highlighted the importance of partnerships between government, the private sector, and communities to enhance learning environments for South African children. Gwarube stressed that collaborations should address the real needs of schools and complement public investment, ensuring every child has a safe and appropriate learning environment. The Minister encouraged transparent and sustainable education projects, stating that the true measure of Mandela Day lies in the lasting impact of projects, such as new classrooms and support for teachers, rather than just the 67 minutes of volunteering. She concluded that sustained investment and collaboration are crucial for unlocking children's potential and securing South Africa's future.
The South African Police Service in Mpumalanga has arrested a 44-year-old suspect in connection with an attack that resulted in the death of a Police Sergeant and injury to a Police Constable. The incident occurred in Bushbuckridge on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo stated that officers located and apprehended the suspect at his residence on Sunday, July 19, 2026. The suspect allegedly attacked the officers with a sharp object during a domestic violence call-out, striking the 41-year-old police sergeant and pushing the 37-year-old police constable into a hole before fleeing. The sergeant was pronounced dead upon arrival at a medical facility, while the constable was admitted for treatment. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Saps in Mpumalanga, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the swift arrest, emphasizing that attacks on police will not be tolerated. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation DPCI – Hawks is handling the case.