Producing fake documents
A SECOND suspect is expected to appear in the Mtubatuba Magistrate’s Court today in connection with a fake certificate manufacturing operation, following her arrest on Friday.
The 36-year-old woman was arrested at Mtubatuba, near St Lucia, after being pointed out by a man who apparently led police to the first suspect.
The Daily News reported on Friday that the first suspect, 58-year-old Zipho Thembinkosi Mhlongo, was arrested and charged with being in possession of fraudulent documents.
His arrest came after police learnt from an informant that he was allegedly manufacturing certificates at a house in Ntuzuma.
He was found in possession of Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) certificates, matric certificates and a machine to produce the certificates.
According to PSiRA, a security guard came to renew his certificate at their Durban offices and the document was found to be fake. On being questioned, he claimed to have bought PSiRA and KZR security and training certificates for R750. The inspectors and police went to the house where he allegedly bought the certificate, which led to Mhlongo’s arrest.
The woman was arrested on Friday, after the man with the fake certificate allegedly linked her to Mhlongo.
“At the time of arrest she had a SAPS competence certificate, a shooting certificate, PSiRA certificate, National Senior Certificate, and three Alizwa security and training certificates. She was detained for fraud,” said PSiRA media officer Velisile Bukula.
Umalusi, the council for quality assurance in general and further education, said it condemned all forms of fraud, especially where their certificates were concerned.
“The law should take its course in all cases of alleged criminality and perpetrators must be incarcerated,” said spokesperson Lucky Ditaunyane.
The Department of Education also condemned the fraud and applauded PSiRA and Police for the arrests.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane said the woman would face a fraud charge in court today. He said police would be investigating whether the woman was linked to any other scams involving fraudulent certificates.