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Joissa Catarina Rodriguez Zunguze, a Mozambican national, has been sentenced by Westonaria magistrates court to two years' direct imprisonment for fraud, three years for the possession of fraudulent documents and 40 days’ direct imprisonment for contravention of Section 49 of the Immigration Act.
The sentences will run consecutively.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lt-Colonel Lloyd Ramovha said upon the completion of her sentences, Zunguze would be deported back to Mozambique.
She was found guilty of being in the illegal possession of 19 tampered South African birth certificates and sentenced on 27 March 2025.
Lt-Colonel Ramovha says Zunguze, who also operated under the alias "Thuli Mthembu," was arrested on 18 September 2024 during an intelligence-driven operation conducted by Westonaria Police in collaboration with the Randfontein Department of Home Affairs.
“She initially introduced herself as Thuli Mthembu and claimed to be a South African citizen,” Ramovha said in a statement.
“Nineteen fraudulent birth certificates were seized during her arrest.”
He said authorities suspected that Zunguze was part of a syndicate involving Department of Home Affairs officials.
“On 11 March 2025, Zunguze appeared in court and pleaded guilty to charges of fraud, contravention of Section 49 of the Immigration Act, and possession of fraudulent documents. Her guilty plea was accepted, and she was convicted on all charges.
“The fraudulent documents in her possession will be destroyed by the State, and the fraudulent South African ID registered under the alias ‘Thuli Mthembu’ will be canceled,” Ramovha said.
The Gauteng Hawks Provincial Head Major General Ebrahim Kadwa said: “This conviction and sentencing underscore the resolute determination of law enforcement to protect the integrity of South Africa’s public institutions and root out corruption. Let this serve as a stern warning to those attempting to exploit our systems.”
