HEALTH AND HOME AFFAIRS OFFICIALS IN COURT, CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL ADOPTION.
A new development in an illegal adoption case in the Free State has taken a twist after a Home Affairs official and an employee from the Department of Health were arrested and appeared in court.
Khotso Teroso David Mefane, 57, an official from Home Affairs, and Lehlohonolo Aby Motlaloe, 45, an official from the Department of Health, joined their co-accused in the Botshabelo Magistrate’s Court.
The duo were implicated in an ongoing illegal adoption and fraud case currently being investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and were arrested on Friday, March 24.
According to the provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti, the matter is being investigated by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Team based in Bloemfontein.
The names of the parents cannot be divulged to protect the identity of the children.
“It is alleged that two females, a Lesotho national and a South African, went to Botshabelo Home Affairs for late registration applications for two children, aged 5 and 15.
“An official from Home Affairs who was assisting them became suspicious and immediately notified the police,” Matoti said.
“The children would later be registered for Sassa grants, and they (the suspects) would share the money,” Matoti said.
All six suspects appeared in court and granted R1 000 bail, including the parents.
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