Mail & Guardian Online
07 May 2009

US slams 'corrupt' SA home affairs department

Poor administration and corruption at the Department of Home Affairs has resulted in thousands of fraudulent passports, identity documents and work permits being issued, according to a recently-released United States government report.

Together with border security problems, this has affected South Africa's ability and efforts to counter terrorism, says the US state department's Country Reports on Terrorism 2008.

The highly-critical report has prompted local lawyer Gary Eisenberg, who chairs the Immigration and Nationality Committee of the International Bar Association, to call for a shake up at the department and the appointment of a competent minister.

In a statement on Thursday, he said it was a warning to the incoming government it needed to seriously address the department's failings.

Click here to read the full article