Akhatar Rajjab (43) appeared before the Gqeberha New Law court on October 9. Rajjab was arrested by the Gqeberha based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks in a joint effort with Walmer Detective Services and Gqeberha Department of Home Affairs on Sunday, October 6 for allegations of fraud, corruption and contravention of immigration Act.
According to Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, it is alleged that the complainant, who happened to be an official from the Department of Home Affairs, received information about a foreign national who was reportedly issuing fraudulent bank statements, police certificates, and radiology reports in order to renew permits.
Mhlakuvana said an operation was conducted where the suspect was followed and approached by the joint team while entering his silver Volkswagen T-Cross at Moffatt Main Shopping Centre in Gqeberha, and the team requested to search the vehicle.
“Upon searching, the team found inside his vehicle passports, visa application files containing fraudulent documents, eighty (80) original marriage certificates, blank Home Affairs forms, 85 passports reportedly belonging to foreign nationals from different countries, blank police affidavits, six lawyer’s stamps, and a commissioner of oath stamp,” he reported.
He added: “The search continued where in his possession cash to the value of over R42,000 and US$7,000/R140,000 was seized. The vehicle was also seized for further investigation.”
He further added that the accused made his first court appearance before the Gqeberha New Law Court on October 9, and the matter was remanded to October 16 for a formal bail application.
“Rajjab was remanded in custody and the investigation is still ongoing.”
