The fraud trial of Ntombelanga Pretty Labane, a Mpumalanga educator accused of using a falsified matric certificate to secure her position, has been postponed until March 2026. The delay was attributed to unavailable witnesses. Labane allegedly earned over 1.2 million rand in salary by presenting forged qualifications, including a Grade 12 certificate and a subsequent Bachelor of Education degree, to the Department of Education.
Authorities state her deception began when she used another individual's examination number to fabricate a passing matric result, enabling her university admission and eventual hiring at Hlelimfundo Secondary School. The alleged fraud was uncovered following a tip-off to the Public Service Commission, leading to an investigation by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Unit.
The case has highlighted systemic vulnerabilities in the verification of educator credentials. School and district officials involved in her hiring reported they lacked the tools to detect the counterfeit documents.
Authorities state her deception began when she used another individual's examination number to fabricate a passing matric result, enabling her university admission and eventual hiring at Hlelimfundo Secondary School. The alleged fraud was uncovered following a tip-off to the Public Service Commission, leading to an investigation by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Unit.
The case has highlighted systemic vulnerabilities in the verification of educator credentials. School and district officials involved in her hiring reported they lacked the tools to detect the counterfeit documents.
