https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8er2990ydpo Skip to content Watch * Home * News * Sport * Business * Innovation * Culture * Travel * Earth * Video * Live * Home * News + Israel-Gaza War + War in Ukraine + US Election + US & Canada + UK o UK Politics o England o N. Ireland # N. Ireland Politics o Scotland # Scotland Politics o Wales # Wales Politics + Africa + Asia o China o India + Australia + Europe + Latin America + Middle East + In Pictures + BBC Verify * Sport * Business + Executive Lounge + Technology of Business + Women at the Helm + Future of Business * Innovation + Technology + Science & Health + Artificial Intelligence + AI v the Mind * Culture + Film & TV + Music + Art & Design + Style + Books + Entertainment News * Travel + Destinations o Africa o Antarctica o Asia o Australia and Pacific o Caribbean & Bermuda o Central America o Europe o Middle East o North America o South America + World's Table + Culture & Experiences + Adventures + The SpeciaList * Earth + Natural Wonders + Weather & Science + Climate Solutions + Sustainable Business + Green Living * Video * Live + Live News + Live Sport [ ] Home News Sport Business Innovation Culture Travel Earth Video Live Audio Weather Newsletters Fake CV lands top 'engineer' in jail for 15 years [grey-place]AFP Workers inspect a train at a Prasa depot near Pretoria, South Africa - 2021AFP Daniel Mthimkhulu joined Prasa in 2000, rising to become its head of engineering within a decade The man who had been chief engineer at South Africa's state-owned passenger rail company has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for faking his qualifications. Once hailed for his successful career, Daniel Mthimkhulu was head of engineering at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) for five years - earning an annual salary of about 2.8m rand ($156,000; PS119,000). On his CV, the 49-year-old claimed to have had several mechanical engineering qualifications, including a degree from South Africa's respected Witwatersrand University as well as a doctorate from a German university. However, the court in Johannesburg heard that he had only completed his high-school education. "The sentence sends a strong message that the perpetrators of white-collar crime will not go unpunished," said Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). * Damning report exposes rampant SA corruption * Load-shedding, poor management, corruption and sabotage Mthimkhulu was arrested in July 2015 shortly after his web of lies began to unravel. He had started working at Prasa 15 years earlier, shooting up the ranks to become chief engineer, thanks to his fake qualifications. The court also heard how he had forged a job offer letter from a German company, which encouraged Prasa to increase his salary so the agency would not lose him. He was also at the forefront of a 600m rand deal to buy dozens of new trains from Spain, but they could not be used in South Africa as they were too high. "The court took into account the seriousness and prevalence of fraud, the significant financial loss to Prasa and Mthimkhulu's betrayal of his employer's trust," Ms Mjonondwane said. In an interview from 2019 with local broadcaster eNCA, Mthimkhulu admitted that he did not have a PhD. "I failed to correct the perception that I have it. I just became comfortable with the title. I did not foresee any damages as a result of this," he said. Lt-Gen Seswantsho Godfrey Lebeya, the head of South Africa's elite Hawks police unit that helped bring the prosecution, also welcomed the sentence. "This should serve as a lesson to would be fraudsters that crime doesn't pay," he said. The Hawks said this was a case linked to "state capture", a term used in South Africa to describe widespread corruption that occurred under Jacob Zuma when he was president from 2009 until 2018. Other organisations and those on social media also welcomed the news, with some noting that it highlighted that basic checks needed to be put in place when hiring people. "Daniel Mthimkhulu's story is proof of a failing administration system," one X user posted. "Not a lot of companies use qualification verification systems... We definitely have a lot more people working with fraudulent qualifications than we think." Mthimkhulu is reportedly planning to appeal. You may also be interested in: * State capture and the sale of South Africa * South African TikTok star freed after 'fake doctor' arrest * Nigerian fake lawyer practised for 15 years in Lagos * Tanzania's President Magufuli sacks 10,000 over fake certificates [grey-place]Getty Images/BBC A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News AfricaGetty Images/BBC Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Africa Daily Focus on Africa South Africa Africa --------------------------------------------------------------------- Related Zuma's daughter marrying polygamous king 'for love' 3 hrs ago Africa Beauty queen to seek therapy over xenophobic abuse 1 day ago Africa Young workers drive South Africa's video games industry 2 days ago Africa --------------------------------------------------------------------- More 10 hrs ago [grey-place]Cars and motorbikes queuing for fuel in Lagos, Nigeria - September 2024 Gridlock in Nigeria amid fuel shortages and price hikes Many people are left stranded as drivers queue for fuel and commuters wait at bus stations. 10 hrs ago Africa 15 hrs ago [grey-place]Bobi Wine on the floor after an alleged confrontation with police Uganda's Bobi Wine recovering from police assault - party His party says he is to undergo surgery to remove fragments from a tear-gas cannister. 15 hrs ago Africa 23 hrs ago [grey-place]Dancers perform as they welcome Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 2 September 2024 at Beijing Capital International Airport 'No preaching' and other tactics as China woos African leaders China is feting African leaders at a summit in Beijing aimed at strengthening ties. 23 hrs ago World 23 hrs ago [grey-place]Taiwo Michael Akinkunmi Why Nigeria's 'Mr Flag Man' has waited a year to be buried Nigeria has failed to arrange a state funeral for Taiwo Michael Akinkunmi, designer of the national flag. 23 hrs ago 1 day ago [grey-place]Rebecca Cheptegei running in a marathon Ugandan athlete in hospital after Kenya petrol attack The 33-year-old distance runner is currently receiving treatment for 75% burns, police say. 1 day ago Africa --------------------------------------------------------------------- * Home * News * Sport * Business * Innovation * Culture * Travel * Earth * Video * Live * Audio * Weather * BBC Shop BBC in other languages Follow BBC on: * Terms of Use * About the BBC * Privacy Policy * Cookies * Accessibility Help * Contact the BBC * Advertise with us * Do not share or sell my info * Contact technical support Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.