Johannesburg - A 24-year-old man arrested for impersonating a female police official has appeared in the Potchefstroom Magistrate's Court, North West police said on Wednesday.
Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said Moses Andile Mkhalipha appeared in court on Monday and his case was postponed to October 27.
“The suspect was arrested on September 13, after calling a senior officer in the North West and demanding to be escorted to a meeting she was to attend and represent the National Commissioner (Riah Phiyega),” he said.
“The suspect was transported with a police vehicle from Klerksdorp to Potchefstroom after claiming to be a major general in the SA Police Service and working at head office in Pretoria.”
The major general the suspect pretended to be is a woman, and the suspect dressed up as a woman.
“She” told the police “she” was going to attend the meeting at Potchefstroom Hospital. However, upon arrival at the hospital, “she” informed police officials that the meeting had been postponed until 2pm.
“She allegedly requested to be taken to Potchefstroom Dam where it was established that there was no record of her bookings,” said Ngubane.
It was discovered that the major general that he claimed to be was in a meeting with the national commissioner and the North West provincial commissioner.
“The suspect was taken by police officers to Potchefstroom police station where she was interviewed and requested to produce her appointment certificate, which she failed to do.”
The impersonator told the police that he was from Mamelodi in Pretoria, and at that stage there was nothing to prove that “she” was a police official.
Further investigation revealed that he was once arrested in the Free State province for impersonation.
At that time he claimed to be the sister of the late freedom fighter Solomon Mahlangu, identifying “herself” as Lerato Mahlangu, the younger sister to Solomon.
He was then invited as a speaker at church gatherings and other forums and at times collected monies in the name of the Mahlangu family, though he had no proof that linked him to the Mahlangu family.
“We are still appealing to any person who may have been robbed or misled by this person, to come forward to report to the police,” Ngubane said.
He said investigations concerning the identity of the person was ongoing.
“It was realised during detention processes that the suspect is actually a male, not a female as claimed. At the time when the suspect was escorted, he was wearing make-up and pretended to be a woman, as his voice also complements the looks.”
Sapa