Key Takeaways
- A Mpumalanga woman, Ntombelanga Pretty Labane, is accused of working as a school teacher for years without a valid matric certificate.
- Labane allegedly earned more than R1.2 million using a fraudulent matric certificate to secure employment.
- The case has raised concerns about verification processes in the education sector.
- Labane is set to return to court in March 2026 to face fraud charges.
- The accused has made several court appearances and is not in custody.
Introduction to the Case
A Mpumalanga woman, Ntombelanga Pretty Labane, is still awaiting trial for allegedly working as a school teacher for years without a valid matric certificate. The case has sparked public interest and raised concerns about the verification processes in the education sector. Labane is accused of using a fraudulent matric certificate to apply for admission to the Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape, where she obtained her teaching degree, a Bachelor of Education (B-Ed). It is alleged that Labane earned more than R1.2 million while working as a teacher, despite not having a valid matric certificate.
The Allegations Against Labane
The allegations against Labane are that she used a fraudulent matric certificate to secure employment as a teacher. It is said that she submitted a CV, copies of the fraudulent matric certificate, a B-Ed degree, and SA Council for Educators (SACE) certificates to the school principal, who then informed the school management team to consider her application. The management team allowed Labane to apply for the post, and she was given an application document to apply for the position. The School Governing Body (SGB) endorsed the management team’s decision, and Labane was employed as a teacher. However, it was later discovered that Labane had written matric four times — in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 — and failed each attempt.
The Investigation and Charges
The case against Labane began when a whistle-blower reported the matter to the Public Service Commission (PSC) in Mpumalanga. The PSC investigated and made findings and recommendations, which were then referred to the Hawks’ Secunda-based serious commercial crime investigation unit for further investigation. The Hawks discovered that Labane does not have a Grade 12 certificate and that she had forged a matric certificate using another person’s details. The forged certificate had the certificate number 04095177028B, which belonged to another candidate called Nozipho Ritta Ngema. The results that appeared on the fraudulent matric certificate were not Labane’s real results.
The Trial and Current Status
Labane is set to return to court in March 2026 to face fraud charges. The case was postponed to March for trial, as witnesses were not available. Labane has made several court appearances before the Amersfoort Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga following her arrest by the Hawks. She is not in custody, as no warrant of arrest had been issued against her. The Mpumalanga provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Monica Nyuswa, confirmed that the case had been postponed to March for trial.
The Significance of the Case
The case against Labane has significant implications for the education sector. It highlights the importance of verifying the qualifications and credentials of teachers and educators. The fact that Labane was able to work as a teacher for years without a valid matric certificate raises concerns about the effectiveness of the verification processes in place. The case also underscores the need for rigorous background checks and verification of qualifications to ensure that only qualified and competent individuals are employed as teachers. The outcome of the case will be closely watched, as it will have implications for the education sector and the measures in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.