A 40-year-old bogus church minister has been served with summons
by the Mthatha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of the Hawks
on May 3, 2022 for charges of fraud, forgery and uttering.
He is expected to
make first court appearance in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on
May 30, 2022.
According to Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa
Mgolodela, it is alleged that on August 4, 2016, the suspect submitted a
fraudulent matric and a Theology degree certificate when applying for the position
of a reverend at the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Ross Mission in Mthatha.
“It is further alleged that the suspect was subsequently employed by the
church. Following his employment the church forwarded his certificate to its head
office for verification,” said Mgolodela.
The
certificates were verified as fraudulent and the church members then lodged a complaint against the reverend to the authorities.
Mgolodela said that the Hawks investigation revealed that the church was prejudiced cash to
the value of more than R80 000 as a result of the salaries paid to the
suspect. She added that the Mthatha Serious Commercial Crime
Investigation team was once again given a thumbs up by the Provincial Head, Major General Mboiki Ngwenya for their laborious efforts in eradicating crime.
– ISSUED BY THE DIRECTORATE OF PRIORITY CRIMES INVESTIGATION
