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Home Affairs warns of hoax messages

Source: ANA, 06/10/2016

Johannesburg - The home affairs department on Thursday warned the
public to not be mislead by "dubious characters" who were sending out
a hoax message claiming to work for the department and could help with
official documents.

"The department did not post any message on social media asking people
to contact the Director-General about pending applications for
permits, visas, or identity documents, for cash," spokesman Mayihlome
Tshwete said in a statement.

"Do not allow whatever desperation you may be experiencing at any
given time to mislead you to seek legal documents through illegal
means, such as bribery, fraud and corruption. It is against the law.
Doing business with faceless, unauthorised impostors or middlemen will
leave you in tears, worse than you were before you hastily responded
to a fake offer for assistance."

He said the department had 408 offices across the country, its
website, visa facilitation centres run by VFS Global, and they have
extended their footprint in South Africa`s four major banks, Absa,
FNB, Nedbank and Standard Bank.

He said the department also had a permitting section in the
Immigration Services Branch and it was through these channels that
people are urged to reach it for permits, visas and identity
documents.

The minister, the director general or any other senior official of the
department would not ask individuals to pay them directly for legally
rendered services, he said.

"Protect yourself from con artists who give technology a bad name, for
a quick buck. For any uncertainty, visit any of our offices for
help.

You can also call the Home Affairs Contact Centre."

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