Bogus lawyer, now lecturer

2003-04-12 21:32

Matefu Mokoena

Johannesburg - Bogus Vaal Triangle lawyer Oupa Moshebi, who was appointed as a corruption buster in the Metsimaholo local council in the Free State, is now a university lecturer and arbitrator in labour disputes affecting teachers.

For 18 years Moshebi, who comes from Sharpeville, has been successfully masquerading as a lawyer.

Having succeeded in deceiving Metsimaholo councillors, he went on to dupe Potchefstroom University into appointing him as a political science lecturer.

The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC), which adjudicates on teachers' labour disputes, also appointed him an arbitrator.

Moshebi at one stage also masqueraded as a marketing officer for Jomo Cosmos.

Jomo Cosmos boss, Jomo Sono, admitted Moshebi was once involved with the club but only at a supporters' level.

"He wanted to start a supporters' branch in the Vaal but I have since lost touch with him.

"I also knew him as an advocate and he looked like a good person," said Sono.

Moshebi claimed he was a qualified lawyer with an LLB from the National University of Lesotho.

However, City Press last month revealed Moshebi lied about his qualifications.

This led to him admitting he was not a qualified lawyer.

Despite admitting his lies, Moshebi continues with his job as an arbitrator and lecturer.

As an arbitrator Moshebi presided over a number of unfair dismissal and labour dispute cases involving teachers in the Free State.

City Press is in possession of arbitration awards issued by "Commissioner Advocate Oupa Moshebi".

One of his cases involved high school principal Dingaan Manyike.

Manyike was fired in July 2001 after he was accused of not running his school properly.

During arbitration in November last year, Moshebi ruled that his dismissal was fair.

Manyike has asked the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu) to lodge an appeal against his judgment.

He cannot comment on his case until it has been concluded.

Potchefstroom University's behavioural sciences director, Professor Christo van Wyk, confirmed that Moshebi was a lecturer at the institution.

He said Moshebi was appointed on the basis of his qualifications and the university was not aware they were forged.

"I met him as an advocate," said Van Wyk.

City Press has also established that through his bogus law certificates Moshebi managed to obtain a master's degree in governance and political transformation in 2000.

The following year he obtained a master's certificate in labour relations at Potchefstroom University.

Free State University governance and political transformation programme director, Dr Andre Duvenhage, confirmed Moshebi obtained the master's degree.

"We are investigating Moshebi after seeing in City Press that the qualifications he provided us, when applying for admission in my programme, are questionable."

Van Wyk also confirmed that Moshebi obtained a master's certificate at Potchefstroom.

Efforts to get hold of Moshebi were fruitless as he did not respond to messages left on his voicemail and at the university.

According to Vista University student records, Moshebi is about to receive a doctorate in business management from the institution.

- City Press