The Department of Home Affairs on Tuesday disputed reports that 10 000 identity documents were stolen from its offices in Lebowakgomo in Limpopo, saying it was ”less than 1 000”.
”I don’t know where the figure of 10 000 comes from,” spokesperson Nkosana Sibuyi said. ”Less than 1 000 was stolen.”
He said the circumstances around the theft are at this stage still unknown.
”We don’t know what happened and we don’t want to speculate.”
A head of counter-corruption in the department has recently been appointed.
Sibuyi said the counter-corruption department will investigate the theft in conjunction with the police.
He did not want to divulge any details of the investigation, saying it might jeopardise it.
Police suspect that a syndicate, which colludes with illegal immigrants, may be behind the theft, the South African Broadcasting Corporation said on Tuesday morning.
Thieves broke into the Department of Home Affairs office last Thursday night and stole the IDs.
The Lebowakgomo offices are in the provincial legislature complex, which accommodates several other government departments, including the office of the police area commissioner.
There are eight private security guards in the complex during the day and six at night.
Security officers at the complex said they are understaffed relative to the size of the building. — Sapa