South Sudan’s Director General of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passports and Immigration, Maj. Gen. Elia Costa, has confirmed the arrest of immigration officers accused of engaging in fraudulent practices in processing of official documents.
Speaking during a joint media briefing with the South Sudan Revenue Authority in Juba on Thursday, Costa said the suspects were found to be extorting members of the public and issuing invalid documents, including visas, passports, and nationality certificates.
“We have arrested some of our personnel who are forging Form 15, visas, nationality and passport documents,” Costa told reporters.
Although he did not disclose the number of officers arrested, Costa assured that investigations are ongoing and that all those implicated will be held accountable.
Costa urged citizens to seek services strictly through official channels, warning that reliance on brokers or intermediaries creates room for corruption and forgery.
“The public should stop using shortcuts and follow the legal process to avoid falling victim to fake documents,” he emphasized.
The immigration department has long faced accusations of inefficiency, bribery, and fraud.
Reports from civil society and ordinary citizens highlight how desperate applicants often resort to paying middlemen to expedite services, a practice that fuels corruption within the system.
Civil society leaders welcomed the crackdown but pressed for accountability. Daniel Mwaka of the Youth Empowerment Organization praised the move as “long overdue,” linking document hoarding to corruption and inflated costs.
Mborimbuko Simon of Youth Link called for transparency in prosecuting offenders, saying citizens must know how to access documents without bribery.
The arrests and reforms mark a critical test of South Sudan’s efforts to clean up immigration and revenue systems plagued by forgery, extortion, and abuse.
In recent years, several cases of forged nationality certificates and passports have been reported, with some involving foreigners attempting to acquire South Sudanese nationality illegally.
This has raised national security concerns, as fraudulent documentation can undermine border control, taxation, and even voting eligibility in future elections.
The arrests come as part of wider efforts by the government to curb corruption across public institutions.
President Salva Kiir’s administration has repeatedly pledged to strengthen transparency and accountability, but watchdog groups argue that enforcement remains inconsistent.
Analysts say Costa’s public disclosure of arrests is a positive step, but stress that sustained reforms are needed.
For many South Sudanese, accessing nationality, passports, or visas remains a daunting process marked by delays and unofficial charges.
By holding offenders accountable, the immigration department hopes to restore public trust in its services and align operations with international standards.
Costa reiterated his office’s commitment to reform: “This government is serious about eliminating corruption in our institutions. Those found guilty will face justice.”
