Ex-Land Bank CEO arrested for false qualifications

March 17, 2011 

Former Land Bank chief executive Philemon Mohlahlane was arrested for the second time this month by the Hawks in Polokwane, for charges related to the alleged falsification of his qualifications. 

 

Hawks spokesman McIntosh Polela said the 56-year-old former Land Bank chief executive had been arrested on charges of fraud and uttering.
"A suspect allegedly submitted fraudulent documents when he applied for and held several high ranking government jobs," Polela said.
The posts he had held were head of the department of the Free State provincial governemnt, chief executive of the Land Bank and chief executive of the Limpopo Agricultural Development Corporation (LADC). He was axed from the LADC post last year after about two months in the position. His employment at the time was controversial as it followed his suspension form the Land Bank.
His axing from the LADC followed a forensic report by Pricewaterhouse Coopers which apparently uncovered many irregularities. The LADC appointed him over 22 other candidates apparently without consulting the provincial agriculture MEC Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba or Limpopo premier Cassel Mathale.
The Polokwane Observer newspaper reported last November that an external auditing firm had found that Mohlahlane, who had claimed the title of doctor, did not pass matric and that his degree from the United States was bogus.
Polela said on Thursday that according to the information in the Hawks' possession Mohlahlane had written his matric exam in 1974, but had in fact failed.
Earlier this month Mohlahlane was released on bail in connection with charges of defrauding the Land Bank of R14 million.
He is expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court later on Thursday.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article972161.ece/Ex-Land-Bank-CEO-arrested-for-false-qualifications

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