The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation based in Secunda has successfully investigated and secured a conviction and sentence against 43-year-old Nomalanga Labane, a former teacher from Amersfoort, Mpumalanga.
Labane allegedly failed matric on several occasions, which led her to acquire a fraudulent matric certificate in 2003.
According to information received, she was later admitted to Walter Sisulu University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Education degree in 2014.
She was subsequently employed as a temporary teacher at Hlelimfundo Secondary School before securing a permanent teaching post at Theu-Theu Primary School in Amersfoort.
In 2022, the Department of Education was alerted by a whistleblower about the fraudulent matric certificate. An internal investigation was launched and, after gathering the necessary evidence, the matter was handed over to the Hawks for further investigation.
Following an intensive investigation by the Hawks, Labane was summoned to court in 2024. She appeared in court on several occasions before eventually pleading guilty to all charges on 26 March 2026.
On 07 May 2026, Labane was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that she is not convicted of a similar offence during the suspension period.
As a result of her fraudulent activities, the Mpumalanga Department of Education suffered a financial loss of R1 123 811.42.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, issued a stern warning to individuals involved in fraud within the education sector, particularly those using forged documents. “It is not only about the money lost, but more importantly about the future of learners who are not adequately prepared to take the country forward,” said Major General Gerber.