An official was arrested for alleged corruption in a sting operation at the Springs home affairs office on Wednesday, the department said.

A Somali community in Johannesburg on Thursday accused police of firing live ammunition at its members as more xenophobic attacks were reported in Gauteng and former Cabinet minister Kader Asmal questioned claims of 'third force' involvement in the attacks.

The Cabinet has given the assurance that everything possible is being done to address the British government's concerns about the security of South African passports. "South African passports are among the safest ... in the world, and that's the reason why they are being targeted," government communications head Themba Maseko said on Thursday.

Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has done her best to try to bring order and stability into the chaotic Home Affairs Department, MPs heard on Tuesday. "The political responsibilities have been exercised boldly, and we are working towards an unqualified audit," Deputy Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said.

A 49-year-old man, who allegedly had been raking in millions of rands by manufacturing fake documents, was arrested in Durban on Thursday night. He had been operating a home affairs "office" from his home, said police spokesperson Superintendent Vincent Mdunge on Friday.

National, provincial and local government departments, together with state agencies in the various provinces, will work together to manage congestion at the country's busiest land border posts over the festive season, the border-control operational coordinating committee said on Thursday.

Much still needs to be done to clean up the Home Affairs Department, Director General Mavuso Msimang said on Friday. He was reacting to the arrests of five home affairs officials and a former official at the Watloo home affairs office in Pretoria on Friday. The six were arrested following months of investigation.

Members of Parliament heard on Tuesday that the South African Post Office has made 40% more trading profit in the first six months of this financial year than it did last year. Chief financial officer Nick Buick said that the six months' net profit for this year was R210-million, 20% above last year's interim result.

The funeral of slain reggae singer Lucky Dube will be a private affair, family spokesperson Arnold Mabunda said on Monday. "The family requested that the funeral be a private matter due to Lucky's beliefs and the church's request. "They have requested that it not be turned into a circus, so media will not be allowed," he said.

Municipal officials in the uThukela district were accused at President Thabo Mbeki's imbizo (meeting) near Ladysmith of asking for political party cards before serving residents. An estimated 8 000 people packed the tents at the Uitval sports grounds near Ladysmith to meet Mbeki and hundreds lined up to have their chance to complain.