Update 9 January: Randfontein municipal spokesperson Lucky Chiya will appear in court on a charge of identity fraud on 27 January.
According to Randfontein SAPS spokesperson, Captain Appel Ernst, Chiya was arrested on 3 December.
Chiya, who is said to be under sequestration, is currently out on R5 000 bail after allegedly using a cancelled ID document to fraudulently obtain credit.
Watch this space for more as this story develops.
9 January: Randfontein municipal spokesperson Lucky Chiya has allegedly been arrested for identity fraud after using a false ID document to obtain credit.
According to the Herald’s sources, Chiya allegedly had two identity documents, one of which was cancelled by the Department of Home Affairs after issuing Chiya with his new ID.
Chiya, who is allegedly under sequestration, then used his old ID document to fraudulently obtain credit.
The case was reported in November last year after which Chiya was arrested.
He is currently out on bail of R5 000.
The Herald has tried to contact Chiya for comment, but his cellphone is off.
According to Chiya’s office, he is still on leave and is only expected back at work on 13 January.
The Herald has contacted West Rand District spokesperson Dennis Mangope for comment but he declined to speak on the subject.
A representative in the office of the Mayor told the Herald that the Mayor was not aware of any such charges against Chiya, and that they would only be ably to comment once Chiya is back at work and they’ve had a chance to speak to him.
Meanwhile the leader of the DA’s Provincial Legislature John Moody has called on Randfontein Executive Mayor, Sylvia Thebenare to “do the responsible thing and suspend” Chiya pending an investigation.
“A municipal spokesperson is a political appointment within the Municipality,” says Moody.
“The right thing to do would be to suspend Chiya until he is either cleared of these charges, or until his guilt is proven.”
