“The department has acted on information from whistleblowers pointing to security breaches and misconduct. We have recalled the Consul General from Dubai to Pretoria for a preliminary investigation,” Dirco spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said.
The concern is over the sale of passports and visas to citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Accordingly, the Ministry of Interior says it will fully support the investigation into the South African diplomat in Dubai, reports The Citizen.
Phiri says the investigating team will present its report, which will be handed to the director general for recommendations and then to the Dirco minister for a final outcome.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, says he will support Dirco’s investigation.
According to reports, Lebona also used his position to issue a diplomatic passport to his son Tumelo Michael Lebona (45). This enabled him to make contact with lucrative business people in the United Arab Emirates.
His son has repeatedly travelled to South Africa with UAE citizens for business purposes. The South African diplomat in Dubai was therefore called back to South Africa to explain himself.
Understandably, the optics are not good for Minister Schreiber’s crusade against corruption in the Ministry of Interior. Lebona represents both DIRCO and the Ministry of Interior in the Emirates. He is therefore tasked with helping South Africans in Dubai when they encounter problems that require government intervention.
In response to the news, Schreiber says that corruption within the Ministry of Home Affairs threatens national security. And it will continue to do so until a “comprehensive digital transformation” takes place at the agency. We will keep you updated on the progress of the investigation.
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