The Evander Magistrate’s Court denied bail for Sihle Shongwe (32) and Lihle Soko (20).
Shongwe and Maseko were arrested and charged with fraud after they were found writing the interim matric exams for two learners who failed matric at Kiriyatswana Secondary School in eMbalenhle.
They appeared in the dock with the arrested matric candidates – Lethukuthula (23) and Samukelo (25) Ndhhlovu.
The court later released the siblings on bail.
Investigating officer Captain Putseletso Dlamini testified that Shongwe and Soko were in SA illegally. Their country of birth is Swaziland, and they are a flight risk.
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When testifying on the witness stand, Shongwe told the court he came to SA in 2016 and never returned home.
He said he works as a private tutor, and Maseko works under him. Shongwe told the court he lives in Ermelo with Maseko.
When delivering the bail judgement, Magistrate Cornu Roos said both accused are in SA illegally and do not own any property that would compel them not to evade trial.
He found them a flight risk, so he did not grant them bail.
Roos said Shongwe and Maseko would remain in custody until their matter is complete and postponed the case to July 3.
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Mpumalanga Department of Education spokesperson Jasper Zwane said the department is aware of the arrests where their official, a district monitor, discovered irregularities.
The incident happened while writing the Physical Sciences paper two at the school.
Zwane said the candidates were taken to the eMbalenhle Police Station, where the case was opened, and the imposters/proxy writers were arrested.
He added that the law is now handling the matter. Zwane also said the department is following the case with keen interest.
“It must be noted that the integrity and credibility of the examination, internal and external, remain paramount.
“The department has highly sophisticated and effective monitoring mechanisms in place. We warn anyone who intends to do the wrong that they will be brought to book,” said Zwane.
