A former Hawks’ security guard, who submitted a fake matric certificate for employment at the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, in Bellville, has been fined R5 000.
Bush Radio News previously reported that the suspect
applied for a position for a security official in the Hawks offices in
Bellville in October 2021, and began her new job in April 2022.
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PICTURE: Career Portal45-year-old Phelisa Lande, who is no longer employed by the
Hawks, appeared in the Bellville Magistrate Court, last week, and pleaded
guilty on two counts of fraud.
Lande made her first appearance in the Bellville
Magistrates' court on 10 August 2022 on a charge of fraud and was subsequently
released on R1 000 bail.
‘’This comes after a warrant of arrest was issued for the
accused on 08 August 2022 by the Hawks' Serious Commercial Investigation team
in Bellville for falsifying her qualifications. Upon noticing the suspicious
certificate, the Hawks’ vetted the qualifications with the Department of
Education to verify the authenticity of the certificate,’’ said Zinzi
Hani, Hawks Western Cape spokesperson.
‘’It was during this process that the allegation of fraud
was discovered and further investigation revealed that the accused submitted
the same qualification on her previous employment where she was employed as a
security officer,’’ she added.
Lande, pleaded guilty on two counts of fraud and was
sentenced to R5 000 or 5 months direct imprisonment of which was wholly
suspended for 5 years.
‘’The State withdrew two charges of contravening the
provisions of Section 20 of the Security Industry Regulations Act 56 of 2001,’’
said Hani.
The Hawks Provincial Head of the Western Cape, Major
General Mathipa Makgato welcomed the sentence.
“I hope this conviction will serve as a warning to others
who will attempt to commit similar crimes”.
Done By: Mitchum George
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