A former Seshego District Court Public Prosecutor, Guesta Rhulani Maboela (48) was convicted by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes court on 8 November 2022.
In May 2019, the accused demanded R1500 gratification from a complainant who was arrested for driving under the influence of liquor. This was in order to withdraw the charges against him.
SESHEGO PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
The complainant reported the matter to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation. A swift undercover operation was conducted. The operation resulted in the arrest of the accused at her workplace soon after accepting gratification.
It was discovered that the case of driving under the influence of liquor against the complainant was indeed withdrawn. Maboela will be on extended bail until 25 January 2023 when she will be sentenced.
EXPLOSIVES SMUGGLER
Meanwhile, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Limpopo has welcomed a 15-year-jail term against explosives smuggler.
On 23 July 2022, Alois Kamwaza was en route from Zimbabwe to South Africa when he was stopped by the Border Police at Beitbridge Port of Entry. The police subjected a truck to mandatory search. They made a shocking discovery of the explosives that were hidden inside the tools box at the back of his truck.
The driver was interviewed and it was established that the explosives were destined for Gauteng Province. The explosives, 779 units of blasting cartridges and 3 reels of detonating fuse with an estimated value of R200 000 were seized. He was subsequently arrested.
Kamwaza was in custody until he was sentenced on 4 November 2022 by the Musina Magistrate’s Court.
In another separate but similar incident. An undocumented foreign national was also sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of explosives.
On 27 May 2022, members of the South African National Defence Force saw a suspicious man walking at the Beitbridge Port of Entry. They then approached, searched his bag and found 489 units of blasting cartridges with the value of R146 700.
The accused, Wilman Mwando (40) was arrested and he has been in police custody. He was sentenced to 15 years of direct imprisonment by the Musina Magistrate’s Court on 4 November 2022.
Mwando was also found guilty of failing to use the port of entry to enter RSA. Also for entering and remaining in RSA without Legal documentation. He was further fined R5000 or three months for each offence.
