GEORGE NEWS - A law enforcement official of George Municipality is being investigated for allegedly using a "fraudulent" document to register as a traffic officer at the provincial Department of Transport.
The official in question, Herman Janse van Rensburg, who has been a municipal worker for several years, also happens to be the son of a George DA councillor.
It is not the first time that Janse van Rensburg has been, as some allege, "targeted", because of his mother's position. A year ago the rumour mill was producing a story that Janse van Rensburg had falsified his matric certificate. This proved to be untrue.
This time round it is alleged that Janse van Rensburg, who followed a year-long course (January to December 2019) at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to qualify as a traffic official, obtained a digital copy of his diploma, of which he made a copy and had it certified by the police.
"The problem we have with this, is that he did this before he received his original and signed diploma," said Samwu's provincial secretary, John Mcanjana.
Acting Municipal Manager Steven Erasmus confirmed that the allegations are being investigated, but said the municipality cannot provide further comment on staff-related matters.
Janse van Rensburg said he is not allowed to comment under any circumstances.
Digital format
According to a reliable source, Janse van Rensburg did pass his course. There has been a delay in the distribution of the certificates - possibly because of Covid-19 regulations - which led a few students to acquire their diplomas in digital format, in order to register as traffic officers at the provincial Department of Transport.
Although the police accept and certify copies of digital certificates, Mcanjana is convinced that the way the diploma was obtained is fraudulent.
"The diplomas were not signed off by the moderator. He hasn't yet received his original diploma. Fraud is fraud," said Mcanjana, who claims he first became aware of the situation when Warren Prins, the director of traffic and licensing at Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, wrote an e-mail on 18 September to the George municipal manager, which recommends that Van Rensburg be deregistered because of allegedly fraudulent registration.
Mcanjana said he is unaware of other municipal officials having followed the same route to register as traffic officials with the provincial department.
Acting Communications Director at Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mthubanzi Mniki confirmed Prins’s letter of request for the institution of a disciplinary process and the de-registration of Janse van Rensburg. “Two students attended the course and both certificates was requested, but only Mr. Janse van Rensburg was registered,” said Mniki.
Asked why the process to send the students their certificates is taking so long, Mniki said the following: “The process entails that when the student write his final exams all papers must be marked by the facilitator. The papers will be moderated by internal moderators. The POE's (Portfolio of Evidence) of each course must be signed off as competent or not yet competent. Internal moderation for POE's will take place.
Pinned as a public notice at George Police Office: steps to certify a copy of an electronically generated document.
"The RTMC (Road Traffic Management Corporation) will conduct an external Verification process of POE's . The specific course was hampered by COVID-19 and impacted on the issuing of certificates.”
Meanwhile Mcanjana also wrote to the municipal manager, requesting Janse van Rensburg's suspension. "We are still awaiting feedback from the municipality," he said. "I can just say that our members are suspended based on rumours, but with Herman Janse van Rensburg he is now requested to explain what happened... not being asked to give reasons why he should not be suspended like they have done with others who are currently placed on suspension or have been suspended.
"This is an administrative process and not a political one. The MM as the accounting officer must act accordingly in a consistent manner."
Flying colours
Acting head of Oudtshoorn High Gerrit Rudolph said he remembers Janse van Rensburg well. He matriculated back in 2003. "His nickname is Smiley. He was one of our rugby players and a very pleasant student. He passed all his subjects and received a fully-fledged matric certificate," said Rudolph.
Asked about the latest drama in Janse van Rensburg's municipal career, DA Constituency Head Geordin Hill-Lewis said he is aware of the matter.
"I spoke to the mayor about it, he said that the relevant directors are conducting an investigation. If there is something untoward then action will be taken. You can rest assured that we will always follow up with total fairness and without fear or favour."
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