EC Health Department spokesperson arrested for fraud and forgery

Sizwe Kupelo, the spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Department of Health, appeared briefly in the Zwelitsha Magistrates Court on Wednesday on charges of fraud, forgery, and uttering. Kupelo, aged 47, was granted bail set at R30,000 and instructed to return to court the following Wednesday.

Warrant Officer Ndimphiwe Mhlakuvana, the spokesperson for the Hawks Eastern Cape, confirmed that Kupelo turned himself in to the police. He was processed at the Fleet Street police station before making his court appearance.

Kupelo’s career began in March 2002 when he was appointed as a Communication Officer in the Office of the Premier. Later that year, in November, he assumed the role of Deputy Director of Communications in the Department of Health in Bhisho.

The case against Kupelo raises questions about potential ethical and legal breaches within the Eastern Cape Department of Health.

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His court appearance and the charges against him will likely be closely watched by the public, as they could impact his professional standing and the public’s trust in the department.

“It is further reported that in 2020, the Department of Health conducted a skills and qualifications audit on all employees appointed by the Department where it was established that he had allegedly submitted a fraudulent certificate when he started at the Department in 2002.

Sizwe Kupelo

The Provincial Health Department noted Kupelo’s arrest saying it would cooperate with any investigation that seeks to “strengthen the integrity of the services that we render to the people of the Eastern Cape.”

Sizwe Kupelo also received an honorary doctorate from the Trinity International Bible University in 2022. Prior to his public service career, Kupelo worked as a journalist, bringing over 20 years of experience in the field to his later roles in government.

The Sizwe Kupelo Foundation shared on social media that Kupelo also received training at the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation in Oslo, Norway. His diverse background and experiences have contributed to his professional journey within the public sector.

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