A Home Affairs investigation sparked by a dramatic R3 million McLaren crash in Cape Town has uncovered what officials describe as widespread abuse of South Africa’s vehicle registration system, with hundreds of luxury cars allegedly purchased by foreign nationals using fraudulent documents.
The probe, presented to Parliament this week, identified Gauteng as the centre of the scheme, where 282 luxury vehicles were allegedly bought using fraudulently obtained Traffic Registration Numbers (TRNs). Investigators found that nearly 90% of the vehicles flagged during the investigation could not be linked to a valid immigration record.
The investigation was triggered after Nigerian rapper Prince Daniel Obioma, known as 3GAR, crashed a McLaren in Sea Point in March 2025.
According to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Obioma had allegedly overstayed a visitor’s visa, left South Africa, and later re-entered the country without any recorded movement entry.
The SIU further found that Obioma had initially entered South Africa on a visitor’s visa allegedly obtained through fraudulent documentation before later applying for a study visa that was rejected.
The case prompted Home Affairs to investigate how foreign nationals with irregular immigration status were able to acquire and register high-value vehicles in South Africa.
Home Affairs Deputy Director-General for Counter Corruption Constance Moitse told Parliament that officials specifically examined luxury vehicle purchases linked to Nigerian nationals and individuals whose legal status in the country could not be verified.
The investigation identified at least 40 ultra-luxury vehicles, including Bentleys, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and McLarens. However, Porsches emerged as the most frequently registered luxury vehicle linked to the scheme.
Officials told Parliament that at least 327 Porsche vehicles were registered to Nigerian nationals through allegedly fraudulent processes.
Moitse said many of the vehicles were acquired despite visa applications being rejected or permits having expired.
“Some of them were illegal because their stay had expired in the country, but they managed to acquire luxury vehicles using traffic registration numbers,” said Moitse.
Under South African law, foreign nationals are required to obtain a Traffic Registration Number (TRN) before purchasing, registering, or licensing a vehicle.
The findings have raised concerns about the integrity of the TRN system and the possibility that it is being exploited by criminal syndicates and corrupt officials.
Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa told Parliament the government was considering scrapping the current TRN system but cautioned that any changes would need to avoid disrupting legitimate trade, tourism, and cross-border business activity.
The Star
Masabata Mkwananzi
iol.co.za
