The trial of Eastern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo, accused of working in provincial government for more than 20 years allegedly without a matric, was postponed again this week because his senior counsel had "commitments in another court”.
Kupelo, who is out on R30 000 bail, had briefly appeared in the East London Specialised Commercial Crimes Court after being arrested by the Hawks in April 2024 and accused of using a “fraudulent” certificate to clinch his job more than two decades ago.
He faces two counts of fraud, two counts of uttering, and one of forgery, reports News24.
He intends pleading not guilty to the charges, with his attorney, Elias Makhanya, saying that when Kupelo was appointed, he was not required to produce a matric certificate.
In July, the state said it had seven witnesses and was ready to begin the trial in October. The trial was, however, then postponed to this week due to the unavailability of state advocate Nkosinathi Faxi.
“We took a decision for Mr Kupelo to be represented by a senior counsel, who was unfortunately not available this week due to another matter in Mthatha,” Makhanya said.
It is alleged Kupelo applied for a communication officer post in the Office of the Premier in Bhisho in March 2002. He was appointed a month later.
According to the Hawks’ Eastern Cape spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, Kupelo was then appointed as a deputy director of communications in November 2002.
However, 18 years later, when the department conducted a skills audit on staff, it was established that Kupelo had never had a matric certificate.
“He instead allegedly submitted a fraudulent certificate during his employment,” Mhlakuvana said last year.
The magistrate postponed the matter to 11 July.
News 24 article – Eastern Cape health dept spokesperson postponed again (Restricted access)
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