A fraud spanning over five years and costing taxpayers over R161,000 has finally caught up with a KwaZulu-Natal educator who faked his qualifications to secure a teaching position at Sobethu Primary School.
Edward Mthokozisi Nosi, 54, received a five-year suspended sentence in the Richards Bay Regional Court on Monday for fraudulently obtaining employment using a counterfeit diploma allegedly from the former Rand Afrikaans University.
The court heard that between 2012 and 2017, Nosi's fraudulent scheme resulted in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education overpaying him by R161,750.25, funds meant for qualified educators in the province's already strained education system.
The fraud came to light during a routine verification process, leading to a case being opened at the Pongola police station in March 2019.
The matter was subsequently transferred to the Hawks' Durban Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit.
Following a meticulous investigation, the Hawks uncovered that Nosi had never obtained the qualification he claimed from the former Rand Afrikaans University, now the University of Johannesburg.
“Nkosi was arrested and charged with fraud. He appeared in court on several occasions until his sentencing on November 4, where he was found guilty and received the aforementioned sentence,” said police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Sibu Ncane.
The sentence includes strict conditions that Nosi must not commit fraud during the five-year suspension period. He was also handed an additional penalty of either 36 months imprisonment or a R20,000 fine for the fraud charges.
"This case highlights the importance of background checks and the need for vigilance in the fight against fraud and corruption in the education sector," said Major General Lesetja Senona, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, following the verdict.
IOL