Two siblings appeared in Court yesterday, Tuesday 10 September 2024, on charges of fraud, unlawful possession of South African identity documents and contravention of the Immigration Act. The two sisters, aged 35 and 42, were found in unlawful possession of South African identity documents and passport in King Street, Dagbreek near Welkom.

The intense interview, verification and authentication process conducted by members of Illicit mining team, both police and illegal immigration officials led to the discovery that the suspects misrepresented themselves before Department of Home Affairs, furnished the department with false birth dates and acquired South African identity documents and passport fraudulently. It was also discovered that they had foreign travel documents and used emergency passport to enter and leave the Republic of South Africa during 2006.

A total number of twenty-nine (29) illegal immigrants have been arrested this month alone during execution of different Operation Vala Umgodi operational
concepts in Free State hotspots.

Source: South African Police Service