Cape Town – An undocumented immigrant who had been posing as a legitimate employee for 12 years at the City of Tshwane’s Rietvlei Water Treatment Plant has been exposed, following an investigation requested by the Office of the Chief Operations Officer (COO).
The City’s Forensic Services Division, working alongside the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), launched the probe after suspicions arose that a staff member, known at work as “Prince,” was involved in identity fraud.
City of Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba confirmed the incident in an official statement.
“Investigations revealed that the individual had been employed by the city in 2012, under the name Mr. Mohlame Geoffrey Mamabolo, despite discrepancies regarding the official identity document on file,” said Bokaba.
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that Mamabolo’s identity document was issued in 2013.
However, the identity number was later blocked after ‘Prince’ attempted to apply for a smart ID card, when his fingerprints failed to match Home Affairs records — suggesting he could be a foreign national.
The City of Tshwane payroll fraud crackdown nets imposter at its water facility. pic.twitter.com/HpZzSZyBKJ
— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) August 17, 2025
“In the early hours of Friday, 15 August 2025, Forensic Services, supported by TMPD members, confronted “Prince” at the water treatment plant.
“He failed to provide a valid explanation for the ID discrepancy, could not give details of his upbringing nor schooling, and ultimately, admitted that he was not Mr. Mamabolo.
“He further disclosed that the fraudulent ID document was given to him years ago by an individual in Polokwane,” disclosed Bokaba.
Investigators also discovered that he had no fixed address and had been living on municipal property since his employment.
“Based on the prima facie evidence of stolen identity, misrepresentation, contravention of the Immigration Act, and fraud, TMPD officers arrested him and handed him over to the South African Police Service in Lyttelton,” said Bokaba.
He will make a court appearance on the 18th of August, at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
The forensic investigation remains ongoing to establish how the suspect obtained the fraudulent documents.
“This arrest sends a strong message that the City of Tshwane will not tolerate fraud or misrepresentation in its ranks.
“We are tightening our systems to ensure that every person on our payroll is a legitimate employee who has been properly vetted,” said Tshwane City Manager, Johann Mettler.
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C0mpiled by Anda Tolibadi
