Two foreign nationals appeared in an Eastern Cape court for allegedly using fake travel documents bearing the signature of Mnquma Municipality Mayor, Sithembiso Ncetezo.
In a statement on Friday, he said that the two, aged 30 and 40, appeared in court in Butterworth on Thursday where they charged with contravening Section 11B of the national lockdown regulations as it relates to travelling without a valid permit.
They were granted bail of R5 000 each.
“One of the men was travelling from East London towards Butterworth when he was arrested at the Kei Bridge checkpoint around 8 am on Thursday, April 16. He then led police to the second suspect who was also nabbed in his spaza shop in the Butterworth CBD,” Mayor Ncetezo said.
He added that the Municipal Manager, Silumko Mahlasela, instituted an internal probe after the suspects claimed to have bought the forged documents from a municipal official, at a cost of R200 each.
The Mayor said the two documents appeared to have been photocopied and handwritten.
“If indeed the investigation reveals that this is an inside job, that person will be held accountable and dealt with accordingly,” he added.
Ncetezo also warned others who may have bought fraudulent travel permits to notify the Municipality or, “face the full consequences of the law.”
