Ntombelanga Pretty Labane, a 40-year-old from Mpumalanga, is set to face trial in October on charges of fraud, following allegations that she earned over R1.2 million as a school teacher despite lacking a legitimate matriculation certificate.
Labane, who holds a Bachelor of Education (B-ED) degree, allegedly used a falsified matric certificate to secure her position. The trial, scheduled to begin on October 3, follows a series of legal proceedings and investigations into her credentials and employment history.
According to Mpumalanga provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Monica Nyuswa, Labane’s case was previously postponed but is now ready to proceed to trial. Labane, who is currently out on bail, had her most recent court appearance on August 15, 2024, before the Amersfoort Magistrate’s Court. Her arrest was conducted by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, on charges of fraud.
The allegations against Labane include the submission of a forged matric certificate to apply for a teaching position at Hlelimfundo Secondary School in Amersfoort. Despite failing the matric examinations four times between 2003 and 2006, Labane allegedly used a fraudulent certificate with another candidate’s details to apply for and secure her teaching post. The fraudulent documents were also used to obtain her B-ED degree from Walter Sisulu University and a South African Council for Educators (SACE) certificate.
The case gained prominence when a whistle-blower reported Labane’s dubious credentials to the Public Service Commission. An investigation revealed that Labane’s fraudulent actions had led to an estimated financial loss of R1,292,382 to the Department of Education. The investigation further disclosed that Labane had abandoned her teaching position and disappeared before legal action was initiated.
Following the Public Service Commission’s referral of the case to the Hawks, Labane was traced and arrested. She appeared before the Amersfoort Magistrate’s Court in May 2024, and a summons was issued for her to return to court in October.
The South African Council for Educators had previously warned against individuals with fraudulent qualifications entering the teaching profession, underscoring the seriousness of such offenses.
As Labane prepares for trial, the case highlights significant concerns about the verification of educational qualifications and the integrity of hiring practices within the education sector. The outcome of the trial will likely have broader implications for how educational credentials are validated and monitored in South Africa.
