Sizwe Kupelo, a spokesman for the Eastern Cape Health Department, was detained and charged with fraud and forgery today, April 24, at the Zwelitsha Magistrate’s Court.
The Hawks released a media statement stating that Kupelo (47) had been taken into custody by their Serious Corruption Investigation team, which is situated in East London.
After making a brief court appearance, he was granted R30,000 bail and told to return to the same court on April 30 to schedule a date in Regional Court.
The suspect, Sizwe Kupelo, is said to have applied in March 2002 for a job as a communication officer in the Premier’s office in Bhisho, and he was hired in April of that same year. He was purportedly appointed as a Deputy Director of Communications by the Department of Health in Bhisho in November of that same year, according to the statement.
Kupelo never held a matric certificate during his work, according to the results of a skills and qualifications audit the Department of Health performed on all personnel appointed by the Department in 2020. During his employment, he is accused of submitting a false certificate instead.
“The matter was referred by the Department of Health to the Hawks for a thorough probe, which confirmed the allegations,” the statement continued.
In a media statement, the Eastern Cape Department of Health stated that it has taken note of the official’s detention and subsequent release on bond.
“Any action that supports transparent and ethical governance is welcomed by the department. However, the department cannot and will not comment further on the case because it is now a criminal matter under the purview of the special crime fighting unit. According to the EC Health Department’s statement, “The department will cooperate with any investigation that seeks to strengthen the integrity of the services that we render to the people of the Eastern Cape.”
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