Zimbabwean in North West Court After Earning Millions as CFO With Fake Residence Permit

• A 33-year-old Zimbabwean appeared before the Mmabatho Magistrate Court in the North West on fraud charges
• Kudakwashe Mpofu was arrested after he applied for and was appointed as the North West Development Corporation's CFO
• He earned over R3 million in salaries before his fraudulent residency permit was flagged and an investigation into his alleged fraudulent activities was launched

Tebogo Mokwena, a dedicated Briefly News current affairs journalist, contributed coverage of international and local social issues like health, corruption, education, unemployment, labour, service delivery protests and immigration in South Africa during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

MMABATHO, NORTH WEST — Kudakwashe Mpofu, the Zimbabwean who was arrested for faking his residency permit to secure a top government job, appeared in court in the North West on 29 January 2025.

Why was Mpofu arrested?

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), Mpofu applied for a job at the North West Development Corporation in 2023. He was hired as an asset manager and was later promoted to the position of Chief Financial Officer. He earned a total of R3 million in salaries. The Hawks arrested him and he appeared before the Mmabatho Magistrate Court and was postponed to 3 February 2025 for a formal bail hearing.

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Former Minister of Home Affairs Dr Aaron Motsoaledi called for the Special Investigating Unit to probe his fake residence permit in March 2024 after a criminal case was opened against him. He was suspended after his permit was flagged.

Former Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina's citizenship was questioned, and ActionSA called for an investigation into her mother's background. This was after it emerged that she may have committed identity theft and fraud.

SA not surprised

South Africans commenting on Facebook were not stunned at his alleged activities.

Botlhokwa Bantshagongwe said:

"This is South Africa for you. A country where illegal immigrants from other Africancountries live very nice lives."

Sipho Tymon Miyo said:

"He must reveal the one who gave him those fraudulent documents."

Mpho Sally said:

"I'm surprised that his arrest just happened but this incident was reported in 2023."

Siphiwe Biyela said:

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"Make him pay back all the monies he fraudulently earned with interests."

Vee Vee said:

"That's South Africa for you."

Corruption exposed at Home Affairs

In another article, Briefly News reported that Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said corruption in the department had been exposed. He said foreign nationals had paid between R1,000 and R45,000 for documents.

Schreiber said officials have been treasonous by selling identity documents and selling the country. He promised that heads would roll.

Source: Briefly News