According to the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) regional spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, Patricia Staffa was found guilty by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Kimberley on 8 November 2022.

Senokoatsane says Staffa, who was a Municipal Licence Testing Official, was facing a charge of fraud (count one) and forgery (count two). He explains that in September 2016, the accused applied for a post that was advertised by the Siyathemba Local Municipality and misrepresented herself when submitting a Curriculum Vitae. He adds that during the interviews, she claimed to be in a possession of a matric certificate, which was one of the requirements for the post of a Licensing Testing Officer. He says Staffa was successfully appointed by the municipality after the interviews and was later registered with Gene Louw College, for a course or training that was to assist her in being a qualified Licence Testing Officer. Senokoatsane says the accused was expected to submit a copy of her matric certificate to the college and became reluctant when she was told to submit a copy of her qualification, as required.  

“The accused forged or manufactured a matric certificate and later presented the fictitious certificate to the Head of Gene Louw College. This submission led to the investigation into the authenticity of the accused's matric certificate. Through the collaboration between Umalusi, the Department of Education, the National Prosecuting Authority, as well as the South African Police Service, the investigation determined that the matric certificate was forged. During the trial, numerous witnesses, which included officials from Umalusi, the Department of Education, and employees of the municipality, were called by the prosecution. The accused elected not to testify or call witnesses during her trial,” said Senokoatsane.

He further adds that the Prosecution argued for conviction on charges of fraud and forgery and the court found the accused guilty of both counts. Senokoatsane says the accused was sentenced to a fine of R60 000 or three years imprisonment.

“A further two years of direct imprisonment were wholly suspended for five years, on the condition that she is not convicted of fraud, forgery, and theft as a further condition of suspension. The accused is expected to pay R2500 on or before the 7th of each month, starting from 7 December 2022, until the last payment,” he concludes.

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