By Everson Luhanga
The Hawks have arrested a man who allegedly claimed to be a UN election observer during the 2021 polls, demanding and getting SAPS escorts to the polling stations.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale confirmed that Nhlanhla Sizani, 24, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of fraud, forgery and uttering.
“It is reported that during the 2021 Local Government Elections Nhlanhla Sizani submitted a fraudulent letter with the United Nations insignia requesting SAPS escort to polling stations for the duration of the elections,” said Mogale.
“Sizani is said to have misrepresented himself as a United Nations ambassador or diplomat and was therefore escorted by the SAPS Diplomatic Police Unit to various polling stations as an observer.”
She said the UN confirmed that Sizani was not an ambassador or diplomat election observer and the request for an escort had not been requested by them.
“SAPS suffered actual financial loss as a result of the misrepresentation,” she said.
The case was postponed to 23 January for the accused to obtain legal representation.
Pictured above: Nhlanhla Sizani who allegedly posed as a UN ambassador during the 2021 local government elections in South Africa.
Image source: Hawks
