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Zimbabwean with top post in SA arrested again; officials urge calm amid public worry

By Agencies
SA: Zimbabwean national Kudakwashe Mpofu (33), appeared before the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court in the North-West Province after he was arrested last Tuesday.
This was not Mpofu’s first brush with the law.
In 2024, he was arrested and charged with fraud and contravening the Immigration Act for allegedly using a fraudulent permit to live in South Africa.
At the time, then-Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi described Mpofu’s appointment to a senior government post, without proper vetting, as a “national embarrassment”.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) also confirmed last year that it was probing Mpofu’s Permanent Residence Permit as part of Proclamation 154 of 2024 into the Department of Home Affairs.
Mpofu is now being accused of using a fraudulent South African permanent residence permit when he applied for a job at the government entity in March 2023.
“His arrest follows an investigation into allegations of using a fraudulent South African permanent residence permit when he applied for a job at the North West Development Corporation in March 2023.

“Reports indicate that the accused was subsequently hired as an asset manager and later became an acting chief financial officer. Shortly after that he was appointed permanently as the CFO. The accused was reportedly paid over R3 million in salaries,” said North West Hawks spokesperson Tinyiko Mathebula
The matter was postponed to 3 February for a formal bail application.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism MEC has urged the public to remain calm following Mpofu’s arrest.
The arrest comes on the heels of a broader investigation into fraudulent activities at the NWDC, which has attracted the attention of both provincial and national authorities.
MEC Bitsa Lenkopane addressed the arrest publicly, emphasising that while the incident was significant, it should not cause panic or undermine the public’s confidence in the governance of the province.
“This arrest should (not) bring any panic or (lead to) unduly conclusions among the people of the Northwest province,” Lenkopane reassured.
He added the department’s operations were not derailed by this event and were still focused on delivering the premier’s directives, which included a major overhaul of state-owned entities such as the NWDC.
“The department remains committed to addressing the administrative deficiencies at the NWDC,” Lenkopane said.
“The involvement of Mpofu in the corporation’s financial management and his subsequent role in the audit team will be closely scrutinised as part of this ongoing investigation.”