| 2024/04/17 |
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Media Statement
EASTERN CAPE – The Bizana based Serious Corruption Investigation team of the Hawks together with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) ensured that the Mthatha Regional court “A” convicted and sentenced Gladys Ntlawuzana-Komboyi (48) on the 16 April 2024 for charges of fraud and corruption. Ntlawuzana-Komboyi is working as a professional nurse at the maternity ward with the Department of Health at Bambisana Hospital, Lusikisiki. The case against her co-accused Nwabisa Precious Godlwana (36), Mantshangase Abigail Godlwana (59) and Gcobisa Godlwana (22) is still pending. Ntlawuzana-Komboyi is amongst the four accused that were arrested by the Hawks on 11 September 2023 for charges of fraud and corruption and were released on R3000 bail each. On 18 November 2022, Ntlawuzana-Komboyi intentionally, fraudulently registered the birth of twins at Bambisana hospital as requested by Nwabisa Godlwana who was working at Paediatrics in the same hospital. On 29 November 2022, applications for birth certificates were made at Flagstaff’s Department of Home Affairs by Gcobisa under the pretence that she was the mother of the twins. On 30 November 2022, it is further revealed that Mantshangase, the biological mother of Gcobisa intentionally applied for the Child Support Grant (CSG) from South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) at Bizana on behalf of her daughter, Gcobisa who is a close relative. The allegations came after another patron went to Bizana Home Affairs to register a fraudulent birth certificate of a non-existing child and the Department picked up some discrepancies even about this matter of the Godlwana family. The matter was then referred to the Hawks for further investigation. The investigation exposed that the pay-outs was made of the CSG to the applicant, Mantshangase and the total amount that was received by her is valued at R4892.00. Furthermore the investigation divulged that those twins that were fraudulently registered through Home Affairs and received the CSG pay-outs did not exist at all. Ntlawuzana-Komboyi made several court appearances until she was convicted and sentenced on 16 April 2024. Ntlawuzana-Komboyi was sentenced to 4 years direct imprisonment or to pay R20 000 fine with no suspension.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, Major General Obed Ngwenya has welcomed the sentencing. He further lauded the incredible efforts by the Bizana investigating team and reiterated that no one is above the law.
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