A court interpreter in Limpopo has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment for demanding R500 to make the case disappear. Baldwin Nevondwe was found guilty of corruption by the Giyani Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, Limpopo on 17 August 2023.
The 42-year-old was employed as an interpreter at Tshitale Magistrates’ Court. In 2016, he demanded R500 from the complainant who was arrested for intimidation in order to make the case disappear although it was withdrawn by the court.
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The complainant managed to give him R300 but Nevondwe kept on demanding the outstanding R200 until the matter was reported to the Polokwane-based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation.
Nevondwe was arrested immediately after receiving the outstanding R200. Nevondwe was out on bail until he was convicted and sentenced to eight years imprisonment. Two years of which are suspended for 5 years.
COURT INTERPRETER BALDWIN NEVONDWE GETS EIGHT YEARS IN JAIL
In another separate but similar case, Nevondwe in his official capacity as the court interpreter demanded gratification from the complainant who was arrested for possession of dagga. The complainant was fined R400 by the court but Nevondwe demanded R1200 which he paid.
The complainant was surprised when Nevondwe gave him a receipt indicating that he paid R400 instead of R1200. He decided to report the matter to the police.
Nevondwe was arrested again and released on bail until he was convicted and sentenced to 8 years imprisonment 2 years of which are suspended for 5 years. Both sentences were ordered to run concurrently. On condition that the accused is not found guilty of corruption during the suspension period.
