Bogus teachers sentenced to six years for over R1m fraud
Husband and wife, Bongisipho Robert Mthembu and Hlobisile Lindokuhle Mthembu, were found guilty and sentenced by the Nelspruit Commercial Crime Court on Monday, (August 16) for over R1 million fraud in terms of Section 18 (1) Act 121 of 1998 of POCA read with Section 21 (3) of GEPF 21 of 1996.
According to the charge sheet, in 2007 Hlobisile submitted fraudulent qualifications for a primary school teacher’s post and was employed at Maphala Gulube Primary School.
READ: Alleged tax fraudsters appear in court
And for this the Department of Education suffered a loss of R584 815.78. Three years later she recruited her husband, Robert, who also submitted fraudulent qualifications and was also employed at the same school.
He was later transferred to another primary school and the department suffered a loss of another R584 815.78. The whistle-blower reported the information to the department and an audit was conducted whereby teachers were required to submit original qualification certificates.
READ: Teenagers arrested for murder in domestic violence related incidents
The couple did not submit these. In November 2016 the investigation ensued and the couple resigned. They were arrested in August 2018. The accused were each sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that they are not found guilty of fraud during the period of suspension.
