Diplomatic storm over SA official in Dubai

A top SA diplomat stationed in Dubai is accused of arranging break-ins at his offices as part of an elaborate scheme to sell visas for UAE citizens to enter SA. A preliminary investigation by the South African Departments of International Relations & Co-operation (Dirco) and Department of Home Affairs found that Andrew Tsepo Lebona, the consul-general in Dubai, committed several security breaches. They include allowing a UAE citizen to illegally enter the mission through the roof and ceiling on two separate occasions in January and July 2023. The ‘burglaries’ were apparently committed to obtain visa and passport-related documents as part of a scheme to issue illegitimate travel papers, work permits and other such credentials. Government sources told the Sunday Times that the probe had also found that Lebona arranged for his son to illegally obtain diplomatic travel authority. According to the sources, the probe was launched after whistle-blowers alerted Dirco and the Department of Home Affairs to Lebona’s alleged malfeasance. Lebona is responsible for assisting South Africans living or holidaying in Dubai should they encounter legal and other problems requiring government intervention. According to the government insiders, the probe found that Lebona arranged for his 45-year-old son, Tumelo Michael Lebona, to be issued with a UAE diplomatic visa even though he did not meet the qualifying criteria – being younger than 25 or in the employ of Dirco. Officials said Lebona had duped the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs into registering his son as a Dirco employee qualifying for diplomatic status.