The directorate for priority crime investigation (Hawks) on Wednesday said three people, who unwittingly sold a fake matric certificate to an undercover police officer for R3 000, have been arrested and brought to court to face fraud charges.
Hawks spokesperson Captain S’fiso Nyakane said Joel Mpotle, 38, Tebello Mohale, 39, and Lefa Ntshasa, 49, were arrested on New Year’s Eve at a Shopping Complex in Botshabelo.
“The operation was conducted after information was received that the suspects were constructing and selling Umalusi Senior Certificates, and the suspects were nabbed in the act of selling fraudulent matric certificates,” said Nyakane.
“Investigations revealed that Mohale was previously convicted to five years and three years suspended for a similar offence, and their first appearance was on the January 3, 2017,” said Nyakane.
The trio again appeared in the Botshabelo Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and were remanded in custody.
Their next court appearance will be on January 17, when they will make a formal bail application.
