A shocking case of identity fraud has been uncovered, revealing that Tinashe Mtabusi, a Zimbabwean national living in South Africa illegally, has been using the identity of a deceased South African citizen.
Mtabusi allegedly obtained fraudulent South African documents, including a birth certificate, ID, and passport, through corrupt dealings at the Germiston Home Affairs office. His fake documents identify him as Sphamandla Londa Mazibuko, a South African citizen who is no longer alive. With this identity, Mtabusi has been able to access benefits reserved for South Africans, including registering a business.
An investigation into the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) records shows that Mtabusi registered a company, BT Drive, under the name Sphamandla Londa Mazibuko. However, the company’s registered email is mtabusi@btdrive.co.za, which contains his real Zimbabwean surname. Despite using the fake identity, Mtabusi is the only listed director of BT Drive. This discovery suggests that he has been actively using the false identity to conduct business in South Africa.
Home Affairs officials have long been accused of corruption, with reports of officials selling South African documents to foreign nationals. The Department of Home Affairs has acknowledged these challenges, with Minister Aaron Motsoaledi previously saying, “We are dealing with syndicates operating within Home Affairs, and we will not tolerate officials who sell our country’s identity.” The government has recently introduced the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which links fingerprints and facial recognition to personal records, to prevent identity fraud. However, cases like Mtabusi’s show that fake documents are still being issued despite these efforts.
Legal experts say Mtabusi could face serious charges, including identity fraud, misrepresentation on official documents, and violating the Immigration Act. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to prison and face deportation. A senior immigration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Fraudulent documentation is a major threat to national security. Individuals who obtain South African IDs illegally can access financial services, buy property, and even influence elections.”
Tinashe registered a company with CIPC using a fraudulent ID, BT Drive K2016089723 was registered in 2017. Tinashe has secured deals with Williams Hunt Roodeport and Williams Hunt Fourways under fraudulent company BT Drive.
The Department of Home Affairs has vowed to intensify efforts to track down fraudulent IDs and prosecute those involved. Meanwhile, South Africans are demanding justice, hoping that cases like this will push authorities to take stronger action against corruption and identity fraud.
