The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the decisive action taken by Minister Leon Schreiber to root out corruption and misconduct within the Department of Home Affairs. The dismissal of a further seven officials, alongside the suspension of 16 more pending investigation, signals a clear and necessary shift towards accountability in a department that is critical to the functioning of the state.
This comes while the digital transformation of Home Affairs improves every day, with almost 150 bank branches now offering Smart-ID applications and rapid digitisation of documents and visa processes.
These latest actions bring the total number of dismissals to 63 since the formation of the Government of National Unity in July 2024, with 95 misconduct cases initiated and 75 already finalised. This reflects a far harsher approach to consequence management, one that the DA has long called for in the fight against corruption within Home Affairs.
The DA is particularly encouraged by the Department’s decision to act on findings from the Special Investigation Unit, as well as its efforts to strengthen internal controls and oversight mechanisms. These steps are essential not only to punish wrongdoing but to prevent it from recurring.
We further support the Department’s stated commitment to a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and misconduct , alongside efforts to reward ethical officials and drive digital transformation. These reforms are vital to building a capable, modern state that serves citizens efficiently and with integrity.
Ultimately, the Minister is restoring trust in Home Affairs with consistent action, transparency, and measurable improvements in service delivery. South Africans deserve nothing less.