Fake Home Affairs raided, and KZN taxi standoff

Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today:

• Fake Home Affairs raided: A fake Home Affairs office, reportedly used to arrange marriages between South Africans and undocumented foreign nationals, has been uncovered in Durban. Police conducted a raid on a block of flats in Greyville, resulting in the arrest of three suspects. Authorities claim the suspects obtained identity documents of South African women and orchestrated marriages with strangers to help these individuals gain South African citizenship. [eNCA]

• KZN taxi standoff: Long-distance taxi operators in KwaZulu-Natal clashed with traffic police and staged an impromptu protest in Durban on Monday, leaving many commuters stranded. The strike was triggered by ongoing disputes over permits between the long-distance taxi industry and the provincial department’s unit, Operation Shanela. This conflict has led to several taxis being impounded in northern areas, particularly Empangeni, Ulundi, Newcastle, and Vryheid. [Business Day]

• Eskom corruption accused seeks home from court: Michael Lomas, a former Eskom contractor facing 65 corruption charges related to the R1.4 billion earmarked for upgrading the Kusile Power Station, is seeking a retirement or frail care home if granted bail. On Monday, he arrived late at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court due to medical treatment following a fall in prison. This was his third appearance since being extradited from the UK on September 20. [Daily Maverick]

• Police arrest 500,000 people: Police have announced that nearly half a million people were arrested between April and September. On Monday, police officials held a briefing in Pretoria to outline their recent successes in tackling cash-in-transit heists, illegal mining operations, and drug smuggling. This comes as the police prepare for the upcoming festive season. [EWN]

• Markets: On Monday, South Africa’s rand fell slightly as investors await the mid-term budget review on Wednesday, which is the first under the coalition government formed in June. On Tuesday (29 October), the rand was trading at R17.72 to the dollar, R22.97 to the pound, and R19.16 to the euro. Oil is trading at $71.45 a barrel. [Reuters]