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The Hawks in the Eastern Cape have arrested six Emergency Medical Services officials, aged between 42 and 54, on allegations of fraud, forgery and uttering.
Spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana says the Eastern Cape Department of Health advertised 730 positions for Emergency Medical Care Services officers in all eight districts of the province.
The requirements for the positions were inter-alia a Grade 12 or equivalent certificate.
Mhlakuvana said the six officials applied, were shortlisted, interviewed and employed in April 2015.
But, in March last year, they were requested to submit their original certificates which they allegedly failed to do.
He said the Department of Health conducted a verification of their qualifications during which “their Grade 12 certificates” were declared fraudulent and the matter was referred to the Hawks for investigation.
“The investigation further revealed that the Department of Health was prejudiced to more than R7.9 million.”
The six will make their first court appearance in the Zwelitsha Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
