NEWS ARTICLE
By Lulama kaSozathini
Gqeberha – A 51-year-old former deputy director from the Department of Community Safety was arrested on 31 July 2025 for allegedly using a fraudulent university degree to secure employment within the department.
Her arrest follows an intelligence-driven investigation by the fraud unit, which uncovered that the suspect had submitted a forged qualification purporting to be from Vista University. Once the degree was verified as fake, authorities issued a warrant for her arrest.
She was apprehended at her residence in Gqeberha and made a brief appearance before the Zwelitsha Magistrate’s Court later that same day. She was granted bail of R2000.00.
The case has been postponed to 18 August 2025, when she is expected to appear at the East London Regional Court. The accused faces serious charges of fraud, forgery, and uttering.
While the Department of Community Safety has yet to issue an official statement, the incident has sparked concern over the verification of qualifications in public service appointments.
Lulama kaSozathini
Reporter – Legal and Safety Affairs
