In less than 24 hours, four more students were arrested for uttering forged statements of results to the prejudice of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
The accused are:
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Nkosephayo Maphosa (20)
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Nkosiyenzile Bongiwe Mavuso (24)
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Sakhile Bongekile Dlamini (27)
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Nkulungwane Wenziwe Mkhonta (25)
The four appeared before Mbabane Magistrate Qondile Mtetwa, charged with submitting falsified Eswatini General Certificate of Secondary Education (EGCSE) results on Tuesday.
STUDENTS’ TESTIMONIES
According to the charge sheet, Maphosa attempted to defraud the ministry by submitting forged EGCSE statements to secure a government scholarship loan, despite knowing the documents were fake.
Opting to represent herself, Maphosa pleaded guilty:
“I come from a less privileged family and it was never my intention to commit the offence. My only wish was to enroll at university and pursue my studies to change our family’s situation,” she told the court.
Magistrate Mtetwa reminded her of the dangers of shortcuts:
“The mindset you have is very good, that you want to assist your mother. But taking shortcuts leads you to trouble. Everything we do has consequences. You should continue aspiring for a better life, but with integrity.”
Mavuso, who also pleaded guilty, cited her humble background:
“My mother sold fat cakes on the streets while my father was unwell,” she said.
The magistrate emphasised the importance of integrity:
“Integrity should be upheld at all times, even when no one is watching. Pick yourself up. Unfortunately, you have learnt the hard way. Surely someone assisted you in obtaining these falsified documents and that person must also be held accountable.”
Mkhonta admitted home pressures influenced her actions:
“I finished high school in 2023. No one is employed at home, and I have three siblings. The situation at home forced me to take advice from bad influences.”
Dlamini produced a falsified South African National Senior Certificate purportedly issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, citing her disadvantaged background as motivation:
“Lack of employment and having no one working at home pushed me into committing the offence.”
SENTENCING
All four students were sentenced to two years in prison, with a fine option of E2 000 each.
