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- The Special Investigating Unit has raided home affairs refugee centres around the country.
- Home affairs officials' cellphones have been seized.
- SIU boss, advocate Andy Mothibi, and Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi were present at the Pretoria raid.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) simultaneously raided all five of South Africa's refugee centres on Friday morning as part of a corruption probe.
It is understood that the unit is investigating corruption linked to the issuing of asylum and refugee papers to foreign nationals entering South Africa.
With the help of the Hawks, the SIU carried out the search-and-seizure operations in Gqeberha (Eastern Cape), Pretoria (Gauteng), Musina (Limpopo), Durban (KwaZulu-Natal) and Cape Town (Western Cape), which fall under the Department of Home Affairs.
News24 was present at the raid in Marabastad, Pretoria, where more than 60 home affairs officials were understood to have been identified as suspects in the investigation.
The SIU officials quickly moved into the building and entered offices to ensure that no evidence was destroyed.
Home affairs officials' cellphones were seized and no employees were allowed to leave the premises.
SIU boss, advocate Andy Mothibi, and Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi were also present.
In February, News24 reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising a probe into allegations of serious maladministration and corruption spanning 20 years which relate to the issuing of permits and visas.
