Frank Maponya
Frank Maponya
The Limpopo "chief" who was arrested last week for allegedly assisting illegal foreigners to fraudulently obtain South African identity documents is an impersonator.
This was said by Chief Madimetja Sello Kekana III of the Moshate wa-ga Kekana community in Zebediela yesterday.
Lesiba Alpheus Kekana appeared in the Lebowakgomo magistrate's court recently on allegations of providing more than 120 illegal foreigners with confirmation letters enabling them to apply for IDs.
Some women who benefited from the scam could also apply for government grants.
Kekana charged his " clients" R1700 to obtain the documents.
He would charge R800 for a stamped letter to confirm that an illegal foreigner was a resident at his village in Tlhakano. The applicants paid the balance of R900 on receipt of the documents which were sent through his post box.
The stamp used to endorse the letters is believed to have been stolen from the local traditional council offices.
Kekana III said Kekana used to work at the traditional council offices as an acting headman but was dismissed for his "uncooperative nature".
Kekana III's lawyer Jeff Mathabatha said: "The fact that Kekana declared himself chief is a clear indication that he undermined the authority of my client. He should pay for it."
Kekana is out on R1000 bail. He will appear again in the Lebowakgomo magistrate's court tomorrow.
Bogus chief fleeced foreigners
Frank Maponya
Frank Maponya
The Limpopo "chief" who was arrested last week for allegedly assisting illegal foreigners to fraudulently obtain South African identity documents is an impersonator.
This was said by Chief Madimetja Sello Kekana III of the Moshate wa-ga Kekana community in Zebediela yesterday.
Lesiba Alpheus Kekana appeared in the Lebowakgomo magistrate's court recently on allegations of providing more than 120 illegal foreigners with confirmation letters enabling them to apply for IDs.
Some women who benefited from the scam could also apply for government grants.
Kekana charged his " clients" R1700 to obtain the documents.
He would charge R800 for a stamped letter to confirm that an illegal foreigner was a resident at his village in Tlhakano. The applicants paid the balance of R900 on receipt of the documents which were sent through his post box.
The stamp used to endorse the letters is believed to have been stolen from the local traditional council offices.
Kekana III said Kekana used to work at the traditional council offices as an acting headman but was dismissed for his "uncooperative nature".
Kekana III's lawyer Jeff Mathabatha said: "The fact that Kekana declared himself chief is a clear indication that he undermined the authority of my client. He should pay for it."
Kekana is out on R1000 bail. He will appear again in the Lebowakgomo magistrate's court tomorrow.