…Minister Tsheka vows to crack down on corruption
Minister of Home Affairs and Police Voeswa Tsheka has announced the capture of 16 officials from her ministry on charges of corruption and fraud, describing the arrests as a breakthrough in cleaning up the troubled department.
Ten of the accused have already been arraigned in court, while six are facing disciplinary proceedings, the Minister disclosed to journalists this week as she delivered a public apology for persistent inefficiencies in the passport and identity documents system.
“On behalf of the Ministry, I sincerely apologise to all Basotho and residents who have experienced delays, poor treatment, and inconvenience. We take full responsibility,” Tsheka said.
The apology came in response to a damning report by Ombudsman Advocate Tlotliso Polaki, published in May this year, which exposed a pattern of maladministration, inadequate digital infrastructure, and systemic failure to comply with the Ministry’s Service Charter. The report also flagged irregularities in the issuance of diplomatic passports, where statutory surrender provisions were not enforced.
“No citizen will be denied essential services due to expired ID while awaiting renewal,” the Minister promised.
Tsheka said police officers and the Criminal Investigation Department have now been deployed to Home Affairs offices across the country to root out corruption.
“The Ministry condemns all acts of bribery and solicitation for payment to fast-track services,” she declared.
The arrests follow a turbulent period for the department. On April 2 this year, the Principal Secretary ordered a temporary halt to passport production “until further notice.” Passports were not manufactured, leaving more than 50,000 applicants frustrated, particularly those working in South Africa who could not travel.
Tsheka said when the crackdown began, the backlog stood at more than 61,000 passports. It has since been reduced to 38,000.
“In a day we print half of the new applications and process the other half,” she explained. “The usual daily output ranges from 1,200 to 1,600. In the worst case, 900 passports were printed.”
She said the more aggressive approach has been in effect since June 22.
The Minister revealed that she had approached the United Nations Development Programme to conduct a systems audit covering hiring, control measures, and standard operating procedures. Two new printers have been acquired to speed up operations.
“Meeting a person in the production area, I asked how many passports they print per day, but they did not know,” Tsheka said. “The production area is hot, but it is now cooler. We have also procured fraser suits for those staff.”
Tsheka announced that systems will be automated, SMS alerts restored, and a tracking app introduced so applicants can check the status of their passport applications. A customer experience team has been formed, and a toll-free home service for the elderly has been introduced.
On the diplomatic passport scandal flagged by the Ombudsman, the Minister was uncompromising.
“The Ministry acknowledges irregular issuance and misuse of diplomatic passports,” she said. “Diplomatic passports will be recalled, and once resistance is noticed, they will be cancelled in the system.”
Tsheka also addressed the issue of residence permits, apologising for the failure to issue them.
“The requirement was that, after two years, staff should have passed on the skills to local personnel. However, surprisingly, from time to time the same person would still return to request the permit,” she said.
She stressed that thorough vetting of Home Affairs staff, which has not happened for some time, will be reinstated.
“In respected countries, after the army and police, there is an effective Home Affairs service,” she said. “When these people’s contracts end, they will leave with the secrets of the Ministry, and in some cases become agents who facilitate matters for people still active at work, helping those outside.”
She said the ministry intends to do away with temporary staff and move to permanent employees who can be trained, developed, and invested in for their growth.
“Meeting a person in the production area, I asked how many passports they print per day, but they did not know,” she repeated, underscoring the incompetence she has encountered.
The Minister also raised concerns about land administration, saying the use of arable land for property development was the “sin” of the Ministry of Home Affairs, contrary to the belief that it was councilors after giving them the land for farming.
She said identity documents state that everyone is a Mosotho and can access land.
Tsheka promised to report to the public every three months, as directed at the Leadership Forum and the Accountability Summit.
She warned staff against demanding bribes from the public and urged them to exercise empathy towards people.
Summary
- Minister of Home Affairs and Police Voeswa Tsheka has announced the capture of 16 officials from her ministry on charges of corruption and fraud, describing the arrests as a breakthrough in cleaning up the troubled department.
- Ten of the accused have already been arraigned in court, while six are facing disciplinary proceedings, the Minister disclosed to journalists this week as she delivered a public apology for persistent inefficiencies in the passport and identity documents system.
- The apology came in response to a damning report by Ombudsman Advocate Tlotliso Polaki, published in May this year, which exposed a pattern of maladministration, inadequate digital infrastructure, and systemic failure to comply with the Ministry’s Service Charter.
Thoboloko Ntšonyane is a dedicated journalist who has contributed to various publications. He focuses on parliament, climate change, human rights, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), health, business and court reports. His work inspires change, triggers dialogue and also promote transparency in a society.
