South Africa—31 Jul 2025

Police seize stash of fake IDs and driver’s licences

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has seized several fraudulent identity documents, certificates, and electronics from an organised crime syndicate in Shoshanguve.

Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said that SAPS had conducted two intelligence-led operations on 23 July, which led to two arrests.

Upon making the arrests, police found 42 green South African ID books, six smart ID cards, passports, driver’s licenses, Umalusi national senior certificates, and motor vehicle licence disks.

The two suspects also had several electronic devices, including laptops, printers, external hard drives, and SIM cards from different networks.

“These arrests and seizures highlight the SAPS’ commitment to targeting organised crime and document fraud,” Van Wyk said.

“The swift response of various specialised units, underpinned by sound intelligence gathering, has ensured the rapid arrest of the suspects and the recovery of critical evidence that will aid in ongoing investigations.”

These arrests formed part of Operation Cyclone II, which aims to crack down on organised crime in Soshanguve, Jukulyn, Mabopane, and Hammanskraal communities.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber recently told eNCA that the green ID book is South Africa’s most significant fraud risk.

“Research has shown that 34% of fraud cases on the African continent involve this green ID book,” he said.

Schreiber is referring to a 2023 study by Smile ID. The organisation’s latest report found that fraud rates for the document were 500% higher than those for smart ID cards.

The minister has therefore been encouraging the adoption of smart ID cards as an alternative to the green ID book.

“If we want to make progress against fraud and identity theft, if we want to secure our country, we have to move away from the green ID,” Schreiber said.

Between 2013, when the smart ID was first introduced, and March 2025, roughly 29.6 million cards have been issued, at a rate of 2.5 million annually.