TimesLIVE reports that Eastern Cape health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo was arrested by the Hawks on Wednesday for allegedly submitting a falsely certified copy of his matric certificate to secure his appointment as deputy director of communications.

Kupelo was granted R30,000 bail and released by the Zwelitsha Magistrate’s Court. The case was postponed to 30 April in the regional court. Kupelo faces charges of fraud, forgery and uttering. In August 2002, he applied to a health department advertisement for a post as deputy director of communications. The requirements for the position were a three-year bachelor’s degree or diploma in communications or an equivalent qualification plus five years of relevant experience. Kupelo allegedly submitted a falsely certified copy of his grade 12 certificate. Kupelo’s lawyer, Asanda Pakade, said: “There is absolutely no case here ... We are confident it will collapse.” Kupelo also claims to have an honorary doctorate from Trinity International Bible University, which made headlines recently after higher education minister Blade Nzimande said its degrees were bogus.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bomikazi Mdiya at TimesLIVE
• See too, 'Fraudulent' matric certificate: Eastern Cape Health spokesperson hands himself over, granted R30k bail, at News24

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