The Mthatha based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of the Hawks have secured a conviction and sentencing for Nwabisa Afika Mabongo (38) following an extensive probe.
Hawks’ spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said Mabongo was facing a charge of fraud and appeared in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court on February 22, 2022, for sentencing.
“During the period between January and December 2012, Mabongo as the Director of Ma-B Training Academy around Mthatha, was operating an unregistered school providing health studies such as Aids Awareness level 1 to 3 certificates,” said Mgolodela.
She said the training academy claimed to be registered with Welfare and Health Sector Education and Training (WHSETA) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and issued fraudulent certificates.
Mgolodela said that it was reported that in response to whistleblowing and complaints by former students at the college who were unemployable due to the institution not being registered.
“Mabongo was arrested on April 13, 2021. She made a short appearance at Magistrate’s Court where she was released on R1 500 bail. The investigations revealed that the victims were prejudiced cash to the value of R37 000.”
After a series of court appearances on February 22, 2022, Mabongo was found guilty and sentenced to eight years imprisonment in which four years was suspended for five years, on condition that she does not commit the same offence during the period of suspension again.
“She will therefore serve an effective four years under incarceration. The Acting Provincial Head Brigadier Selina Maponya gave a thumbs up to the Mthatha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks as such a punishment will deter the mushrooming of more bogus colleges.”
