Free State – A former Department of Health employee appeared before Sasolburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 24 October, charged with forging and uttering a matric senior certificate to secure employment.
Manini Monco-Mahlaku (49) allegedly falsified another person’s senior certificate and submitted it as her own when responding to a job advertisement in April 2011. She was subsequently appointed and served as a basic ambulance assistant from July 2011.
R2.2 Million Loss to Department
The fraud came to light in 2022 when the department received information that Monco-Mahlaku had allegedly falsified the qualification documents. By this time, the department had already suffered a loss exceeding R2.2 million.
The matter was reported to Serious Corruption Investigation detectives of the Hawks, resulting in a warrant being authorised for her arrest.
Despite having resigned from her position in September 2022, the suspect was traced and arrested on 23 October 2025.
Court Proceedings
The case has been postponed to 24 November 2025 and transferred to the Kroonstad Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. Monco-Mahlaku was granted bail of R5 000.
The case highlights ongoing challenges with fraudulent qualifications in the public sector and the financial impact such deception can have on government departments.
The Hawks’ involvement underscores the serious nature of qualification fraud, particularly in essential services such as healthcare where public safety depends on properly qualified personnel.
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