Mozambican Woman Bags Jail Term For Fraud, Possession Of Tampered South African Documents

Joissa Catarina Rodriguez Zunguze, a Mozambican national, has been convicted and sentenced for fraud after being found in possession of 19 tampered South African birth certificates.

The Westonaria Magistrate’s Court sentenced Zunguze on Thursday, following an intelligence-driven operation conducted by Westonaria police and the Randfontein Department of Home Affairs.

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Fraudulent Documents

The Mozambican who also used the alias “Thuli Mthembu,” was arrested on September 18, 2024, during a coordinated operation by local law enforcement.

Initially, Zunguze falsely claimed to be a South African citizen and insisted her name was Thuli Mthembu.

However, authorities later discovered she was in illegal possession of 19 fraudulent South African birth certificates, which were seized during her arrest.

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The case was handed over to the Hawks’ West Rand serious commercial investigation unit for further probe, revealing Zunguze’s (the Mozambican), true identity as Joissa Catarina Rodriguez Zunguze from Maputo, Mozambique.

Charges And Sentencing

Zunguze pleaded guilty to several charges, including fraud, possession of fraudulent documents, and contravention of the Immigration Act.

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On March 11, 2025, the court accepted the Mozambican guilty plea, and she was convicted on all charges.

The court handed down a sentence of two years for fraud, three years for possession of fraudulent documents, and 40 days for violating the Immigration Act.

The sentences will run consecutively, and upon completion of her prison term, Zunguze will be deported back to Mozambique.

Additionally, the fraudulent documents in her possession will be destroyed, and the South African identity document under the alias “Thuli Mthembu” will be canceled.

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