ACCUSED SENTENCED FOR FRAUDULENT IDENTITY

Photo: Saddam Hussain

Supplied

By: Neo Ntsele

The Kroonstad Magistrates’ Court sentenced Saddam Hussain 22, on Monday 24, after finding him guilty of fraud and contravention of Immigration Act.

It was in April 2024, when Hussain and his partner were arrested at Bethlehem Home Affairs for allegations of aiding and abetting another foreign national to obtain a South African identity document.

Hussain and his partner appeared in court and they were both released on warning pending further investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation in Bethlehem and Free State Department of Home Affairs.

Further investigation was conducted and it was discovered that Hussain also fraudulently obtained a South African identity document and passport under the name of Sibusiso Ntamo.

It was further reported that on 15 May 2024, Hussain applied for smart identity card and passport at Kroonstad Home Affairs claiming to have lost his identity document and passport.

Home Affairs Counter-Corruption alerted the Hawks and a trap operation was conducted at Kroonstad Home Affairs after Hussain confirmed he is coming to collect his smart identity card and passport on 27 May 2024.

Hussain visited Home Affairs offices in Kroonstad as confirmed and upon his arrival he was arrested by the Bethlehem Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team, together with Home Affairs Counter- Corruption team before collecting his fraudulent documents.

The court sentenced Hussain to three years direct imprisonment for fraud.

He was also sentenced to a fine of R2000 for contravention of Immigration Act or eight (8) months imprisonment.

The court also declared Hussain unfit to possess a firearm.