Kudakwashe Mpofu, a 33-year-old Zimbabwean national, has been arrested in South Africa for allegedly using a fraudulent South African permanent residence permit to apply for a job at the North West Development Corporation in March 2023.
According to a statement from the South African Police Service (SAPS), Mpofu appeared in Mmabatho Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 29 January 2025, facing fraud charges.
Mpofu was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit on Tuesday, 28 January 2025, in Mahikeng.
It is alleged that Mpofu used the fraudulent permit to apply for a job at the North West Development Corporation, where he was hired as an asset manager, later appointed acting chief financial officer (CFO), and eventually made permanent CFO. During his employment, he reportedly received over R3 million in salaries.
After an investigation, Mpofu was arrested and charged with fraud. He appeared in court, with his case postponed to 3 February 2025 for a formal bail application.

Pindula News

A man from Zimbabwe named Kudakwashe Mpofu used a fake permit to get a job in South Africa and earned R3 million in salaries. He was arrested for fraud and appeared in court. The permit he used was fake, and he got the job at the North West Development Corporation. He started as an asset manager, became acting chief financial officer, and then permanent CFO. He got caught, arrested, and now has to go back to court on 3 February 2025 for a formal bail application.

Zimbabwean Man (33) Uses Fake Residency Permit To Secure Job In SA, Earns R3 Million In Salaries

Kudakwashe Mpofu, a Zimbabwean and former chief financial officer (CFO) of the North West Development Corporation in South Africa, appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Wednesday.
He faces charges of fraud and contravening the Immigration Act. In 2022, Mpofu, aged 32, allegedly utilised a fraudulent permit to remain in the country.
<a href="https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2024-03-20-former-north-west-development-corporation-cfo-in-court-for-fraud/">TimesLive</a> reported that after investigations by the police, Mpofu handed himself over on Wednesday and was formally arrested.   
Lumka Mahanjana, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), announced that court proceedings were adjourned to March 26 for bail information and a potential bail application.
She further clarified that Mpofu would remain in custody until his scheduled appearance and the NPA intends to oppose bail while considering additional charges.
On Sunday, South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told journalists Mpofu was informed as “far back as June 23 2023 that his purported permanent residence permit is fraudulent”. Said Motsoaledi:
<blockquote>
I’m here today to confirm that, according to our records, Mr Kudakwashe Mpofu’s permanent residence document is fraudulent and was not issued by the Department of Home Affairs and we do not know where he obtained it.
We can confirm the permanent residence permit number appearing on Mr Mpofu’s document does not exist in our systems.
We can further confirm that the control number appearing on Mr Mpofu’s purported document was not issued by the department to him but rather it was legitimately issued to somebody else.
As to how Mr Mpofu came across that control number, we do not know.
</blockquote>
Mpofu tendered his resignation on Monday this week, and on March 10, the Sunday World reported that he was vigorously opposing the Home Affairs Department’s efforts to deport him.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Former North West Development Corporation CFO, Kudakwashe Mpofu, Arrested

South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, has confirmed that a criminal case has been opened against Kudakwashe Mpofu, a Zimbabwean national.
Mpofu, who held the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the North West Development Corporation, is accused of fraudulently obtaining his permanent residence permit in South Africa.
Motsoaledi has taken decisive action by requesting the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate how Mpofu managed to secure a high-ranking job using a fake permit.
According to <a href="https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2024-03-17-north-west-government-entity-cfo-has-fraudulent-residence-permit-minister-aaron-motsoaledi/">TimesLive</a>, Motsoaledi stated that Mpofu was informed as early as June 23, 2023, that his purported permanent residence permit was fraudulent. Said Motsoaledi:
<blockquote>
I’m here today to confirm that according to our records, Mr Kudakwashe Mpofu’s permanent residence document is fraudulent and was not issued by the Department of Home Affairs and we do not know where he obtained it.
We can confirm the permanent residence permit number appearing on Mr Mpofu’s document does not exist in our systems.
We can further confirm that the control number appearing on Mr Mpofu’s purported document was not issued by the department to him but rather it was legitimately issued to somebody else.
As to how Mr Mpofu came across that control number, we do not know.
</blockquote>
On March 10, the Sunday World reported that Mpofu was actively resisting deportation by the Home Affairs Department.
Mpofu also expressed frustration that the department had failed to respond to his court papers.
Minister Motsoaledi emphasized that it is disappointing that Mpofu was able to hold a high-level government position while using a fraudulent document. He said:
<blockquote>
It is a matter of national embarrassment that Mr Mpofu was able to obtain employment as the CFO at the North West Department of Economic Development handling public funds.
After ascertaining these facts about Mpofu, I immediately phoned the acting premier of North West, Nono Maloyi, and he told me that Mpofu had already been suspended.
</blockquote>
Minister Motsoaledi questioned why the home affairs officials who had uncovered the fraud did not take the step of opening a police case. He said their awareness of the fraudulent permit should have prompted immediate legal action.
Additionally, Motsoaledi wondered why the human resources division within the North West Department of Economic Development failed to conduct due diligence in verifying Mpofu’s documentation during the hiring process. 
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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