The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) has issued a warning about an individual impersonating Acting Judge President Zamani Nhlangulela of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court and sending WhatsApp messages in his name.
The impersonator is using Nhlangulela’s profile picture and the WhatsApp number 072 910 6073, which is registered under the name “Acting Judge President Zamani Nhlangulela”, according to the OCJ.
The office said it became aware of the impersonation after the individual or individuals sent WhatsApp messages purporting to be from Nhlangulela, which ask for the numbers of other people.
The OCJ urged members of the public not to fall victim to the impersonator.
“The public is warned not to fall prey to this impersonator and need to be aware that misrepresenting a state of affairs, knowing that it is not true, to the prejudice of someone else is fraud,” the office said.
The matter will be reported to the relevant authorities for further handling, the OCJ said.
The OCJ previously alerted the public to impersonators posing as judicial officials.
In December 2023, IOL reported that the OCJ warned the public about an individual impersonating retired Constitutional Court Justice Chris Jafta.
The office warned at the time that impersonating a judicial officer was a criminal offence.
The OCJ has also previously warned about fake communications attributed to judges, including a fraudulent declaration falsely attributed to Chief Justice Mandisa Maya in June 2026.
“Members of the public and media are requested to contact the OCJ to verify the authenticity of any communication, directive, article, or social media post that purports to be that of a Judge,” the office said.
