Eastern Cape Health Department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo, who is out on R30 000 bail after his arrest by the Hawks last week for fraud, forgery and uttering relating to an alleged fake matric certificate, will appear in the East London Commercial Crimes Court on 22 May.
He appeared in the Zwelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where his case was transferred for his appearance later this month.
Attorney Elias Makhanya questioned what had prompted the state to charge his client, saying Kupelo had been cleared in disciplinary proceedings several years ago.
He also told Magistrate Nompakamiso Mlonyeni that he and Kupelo had received no copies of the docket, reports News24.
“We really do not know what might have influenced the state to charge him, and disregard the outcomes of the department’s previous disciplinary committee.”
Kupelo had handed himself over to the Hawks in East London on 24 April in connection with the allegations, and appeared in court that day, where he was released on bail.
Premier post
In March 2002, he had applied for a communications officer post in the Office of the Premier in Bhisho, and was appointed a month later.
In November that year, he had applied for and was appointed by the Department of Health in Bhisho as deputy director of communications.
DispatchLive reports that the requirements were a three-year bachelor’s degree or diploma in communications, or an equivalent qualification, plus five years’ experience.
Kupelo allegedly submitted a falsely certified copy of his grade 12 certificate and also claims to have an honorary doctorate from Trinity International Bible University, which made headlines recently after Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande said its degrees were bogus.
Nzimande said the institution was unregistered and had no authority to confer degrees in SA.
In 2020, the department conducted a skills audit, during which it was established that Kupelo had never had a matric certificate.
“He had allegedly submitted a fraudulent certificate… and the matter was referred to the Hawks for a thorough probe, which confirmed the allegations,” said Hawks Eastern Cape spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana.
Kupelo was suspended by the department but returned after a disciplinary committee ruled in his favour.
He has maintained his innocence.
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