Mr Muzwamandla Poto and his wife Elizabeth have been found guilty on 13 counts of fraud at the Johannesburg Magistrate Court, for illegally selling state land in Lenasia, South of Johannesburg. Mr Poto who is a pensioner and also a former official of the City of Johannesburg, was facing 16 counts of fraud after residents paid him money to buy government stands.
Another charge of trespassing was also added and they were both found guilty after they illegally built their house on a government owned stand. They will return to court on 12 December 2013 for sentencing.
The couple join a list of other unscrupulous individuals who were found guilty on the Lenasia land saga. Former City of Joburg official Sifiso Handsome Litau was found guilty of 3 counts of fraud at the same court last month. Litau will return to the same court on 8 November 2013 for sentencing and he is out on bail.
Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Ntombi Mekgwe said the sentencing of two more people in the Lenasia debacle is an indication that the state has strong cases against suspects.
“We don’t want any of them to escape going to jail for what they have done. They have defrauded the people and stole from the state and the only thing that they deserve is to serve time behind bars,” said MEC Mekgwe.
Mekgwe said she will be happy if people can still come forward with information that could lead to the arrest of other people who were involved in the selling of land. “This should send a message to the public that we seriously want to deal with this corruption. People should not hesitate to come forward with information so that we can end this syndicate,” said Mekgwe.
MEC also thanked the witnesses who testified during the trial for their compelling evidence. Other suspects are still appearing in courts after a thorough investigation by the provincial HAWKS and department’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption Unit.
For more information:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
