Mozambican national, Joissa Catarina Rodriguez Zunguze, who has a South African ID identifying her as Thuli Mthembu, was arrested after she was found in possession of 19 tampered South African birth certificates.
Image: Hawks
The Westonaria Magistrate's Court has convicted and sentenced Mozambican national, Joissa Catarina Rodriguez Zunguze, on charges of fraud after she was found in possession of 19 tampered South African birth certificates.
Gauteng spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Ramovha, said Zunguze was sentenced on Thursday.
“Zunguze, who also operated under the alias ‘Thuli Mthembu’, was arrested on September 18 2024 during an intelligence-driven operation conducted by Westonaria police in collaboration with the Randfontein Department of Home Affairs,” said Ramovha.
Zunguze initially insisted she was Thuli Mthembu, and claimed to be a South African citizen. Ramovha said 19 fraudulent birth certificates were seized during her arrest.
The case, initially registered at the Westonaria police station, was later transferred to the Hawks West Rand serious commercial investigation unit for further investigations.
“Authorities suspected that Zunguze was part of a syndicate involving Department of Home Affairs officials. Further inquiries revealed her true identity as Joissa Catarina Rodriguez Zunguze from Maputo, Mozambique, and confirmed her illegal presence in South Africa,” said Ramovha.
The case, initially registered at the Westonaria police station, was later transferred to the Hawks West Rand serious commercial investigation unit for further investigations.
“Authorities suspected that Zunguze was part of a syndicate involving Department of Home Affairs officials. Further inquiries revealed her true identity as Joissa Catarina Rodriguez Zunguze from Maputo, Mozambique, and confirmed her illegal presence in South Africa,” said Ramovha.
Mozambican national, Joissa Catarina Rodriguez Zunguze, who has a South African ID identifying her as Thuli Mthembu, was arrested after she was found in possession of 19 tampered South African birth certificates.
Image: Hawks
Earlier this month, on March 11 2025, Zunguze appeared in court and pleaded guilty to charges of fraud, contravention of the Immigration Act, and possession of fraudulent documents.
Her guilty plea was accepted by the court, and she was convicted on all charges. At the time, the case was postponed to Thursday for sentencing.
On Thursday, Zunguze was sentenced to two years of direct imprisonment for fraud, and three years in jail for possession of fraudulent documents. For contravention of the Immigration Act, Zunguze was sentenced to spend 40 days behind bars.
The court ordered that the sentences run consecutively.
“Upon completion of her sentence, Zunguze will be deported to Mozambique. The fraudulent documents in her possession will be destroyed by the State, and the fraudulent South African identity document registered under the alias ‘Thuli Mthembu’ will be canceled,” said Ramovha.
“The West Rand serious commercial investigation team, through diligent investigation and unwavering commitment, successfully brought Zunguze to justice. Their efforts exemplify the directorate's dedication to combating corruption.”
Meanwhile, Gauteng head of the Hawks, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of Zunguze.
“This conviction and sentencing underscore the resolute determination of law enforcement to protect the integrity of South Africa’s public institutions and root out corruption. Let this serve as a stern warning to those attempting to exploit our systems,” said Kadwa.
In 2023, IOL reported that a 43-year-old man was arrested in Pretoria central for allegedly selling fraudulent documents, including birth certificates, fake identity documents, and fake doctors’ notes.
The man, who is a South African national, was also selling fake identity documents, according to Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba, spokesperson for the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD).
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL
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