Cape Town – A 24-year-old man, Nhlanhla Sizani, appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Tuesday on charges of fraud, forgery, and uttering after allegedly posing as a UN ambassador or diplomat during the 2021 local government elections.
Sizani is accused of submitting a fraudulent letter with the UN insignia to request a police escort to polling stations, misrepresenting himself and leading to police providing an escort under the belief he was a UN observer.
“It is reported that during the 2021 local government elections, Sizani submitted a fraudulent letter with the UN insignia, requesting a police escort to polling stations for the duration of the elections.
“Sizani is said to have misrepresented himself as a UN ambassador/diplomat and thus was escorted by SAPS’ diplomatic police unit to various polling stations as an observer,” Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said.
An investigation revealed that the UN had not endorsed the request, and Sizani allegedly caused financial loss through his misrepresentation.
The case has been postponed to January 23 for the accused to obtain legal representation.
On social media, Sizani presents himself as an ambassador with images alongside top South African Police Service (SAPS) officials.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
