Man pretending to be a United Nations worker arrested for fraud

A 26-year-old man was arrested on Saturday in Rustenburg by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation unit after he disguised himself as an employee of the United Nations.

On Monday he appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court for fraud.

Hawks spokesperson, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, said the man alleged that he was responsible for a youth movement programme that focuses on giving South African youth communities development opportunities abroad.

“Dr Mort West McKenzie (26), appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on charges of fraud and contravening the disaster management act, 2002 (act no. 57 of 2002).”

Mulaudzi said the investigation into Dr McKenzie started in March this year when it was discovered that he held several meetings from February lobbying support for whoever wanted to join the programme as a volunteer. The so-called volunteers had to pay an amount of R1 500 each.

“He further went to convince the complainants that he was also distributing Covid-19 surgical masks to organisations and institutions and left them with six boxes to distribute to their communities.

“Convinced, the complainants introduced other people to Dr McKenzie and paid the R1 500 membership fee as demanded. Suspecting that something was amiss, the complainants requested his UN number for verification which never came.”

Mulaudzi said the accused also disguised himself and deceived Rustenburg municipality officials that he was a UN official distributing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). He attempted to convince them to pay a sizable amount for his services while he will cover a portion of the fees.

“Dr McKenzie also managed to convince a Sandton businessman to procure surgical masks to the amount of R2-million for distribution to underprivileged communities. The Gauteng Hawks are dealing with the case and he will be appearing in the Randburg court soon.”

The Hawks investigation also discovered that Dr McKenzie was a Tanzanian national and was not an employee of the United Nations. It has also been confirmed that he is not supposed to be in South Africa as he was not issued with a passport by his country, Mulaudzi said.

Dr McKenzie has been remanded in custody by the Pretoria magistrate’s court pending his next appearance on 11 May.

He was expected to appear again in the Rustenburg magistrate’s court facing the same charges on Tuesday.

The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Lieutenant General Lebeya has welcomed the arrest.

“The Hawks will deal with any corrupt individual, entities, companies and organisations who intend on illegally helping themselves on the resources intended to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. I have directed the team to also establish if he is a qualified doctor,” said Lebeya.