16 October 2006
Fourteen of the 23 current and former members of Parliament accused of
travel voucher fraud have been found guilty and sentenced to jail sentences or
fines by the Cape Town High Court.
This follows an agreement reached between the counsel for the accused and
the State in terms of Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act. In terms of
the plea and sentence agreements (Plea Bargains), the accused pleaded guilty to
the specified charges (fraud or theft) and appropriate sentences were agreed
to. These were today ratified by the court as required by the law. More MPs are
expected to enter into the plea bargain tomorrow.
The NPA is pleased with the finalisation of these cases as it now leaves the
prosecuting team with enough time and resources to concentrate on finalising
the other remaining cases.
Furthermore, we are pleased with the sentences imposed and are of the view
that they are commensurate with the crimes that were committed and that they
will serve as a deterrent to potential offenders.
The individuals and their sentences are as follows:
1. Bathabile Dhlamini pleaded guilty to one count of fraud (R254 000 �
service benefits/ mileage claims) and was sentenced to a fine of R120 000.00 or
5 years imprisonment and a further 5 years imprisonment suspended conditionally
for 5 years.
2. Beauty Dlulane pleaded guilty to one count of fraud (R289 000 � service
benefits/ mileage claims) and was sentenced to a fine of R120 000.00 or 5 years
imprisonment and a further 5 years imprisonment suspended conditionally for 5
years.
3. Sophia Maine pleaded guilty to one count of fraud (R206 000 � service
benefits/ mileage claims) and was sentenced to a fine of R100 000.00 or 5 years
imprisonment and a further 5 years imprisonment suspended conditionally for 5
years.
4. Bangilizwe Solo pleaded guilty to one count of fraud (R151 000 � service
benefits/ mileage claims) and was sentenced to a fine of R100 000.00 or 5 years
imprisonment and a further 5 years imprisonment suspended conditionally for 5
years.
5. Garth Mngomezulu pleaded guilty to one count of fraud (R235 000 � service
benefits/ mileage claims) and was sentenced to a fine of R100 000.00 or 5 years
imprisonment and a further 5 years imprisonment suspended conditionally for 5
years.
6. Robert Nogumla pleaded guilty to one count of fraud (R179 000 � service
benefits/ mileage claims) and was sentenced to a fine of R90 000.00 or 5 years
imprisonment and a further 5 years imprisonment suspended conditionally for 5
years.
7. Barbara Thompson pleaded guilty to one count of fraud (R170 000 � service
benefits/ mileage claims) and was sentenced to a fine of R90 000.00 or 5 years
imprisonment and a further 5 years imprisonment suspended conditionally for 5
years.
8. Patrick Maloyi pleaded guilty to one count of fraud (R150 000 � service
benefits/ mileage claims) and was sentenced to a fine of R60 000.00 or 5 years
imprisonment and a further 5 years imprisonment suspended conditionally for 5
years.
9. Tsietsi Louw pleaded guilty to one count of theft (R70 000 � service
benefits) and was sentenced to a fine of R60 000.00 or 3 years imprisonment and
a further 5 years imprisonment suspended conditionally for 5 years.
10. Alice Sigcawu pleaded guilty to one count of theft (R120 000 � service
benefits) and was sentenced to a fine of R50 000.00 or 3 years imprisonment and
a further 5 years imprisonment suspended conditionally for 5 years.
11. Bruce Kannemeyer pleaded guilty to one count of theft (R70 000 � service
benefits) and was sentenced to a fine of R40 000.00 or 3 years imprisonment and
a further 5 years imprisonment suspended conditionally for 5 years.
12. Ndleleni Duma pleaded guilty to one count of theft (R51 000 � service
benefits) and was sentenced to a fine of R30 000.00 or 3 years imprisonment and
a further 5 years imprisonment suspended conditionally for 5 years.
13. Randy Pieterse pleaded guilty to one count of theft (R60 000 � service
benefits) and was sentenced to a fine of R25 000.00 or 3 years imprisonment and
a further 5 years imprisonment suspended conditionally for 5 years.
14. Lewele Modisenyane pleaded guilty to one count of theft (R45 000 �
service benefits) and was sentenced to a fine of R25 000.00 or 3 years
imprisonment and a further 5 years imprisonment suspended conditionally for 5
years.
For further information, please contact:
Makhosini Nkosi
NPA Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 845 6760
Cell: 082 824 2576
E-mail: media@npa.gov.za
Issued by: National Prosecuting Authority
16 October 2006
Source: National Prosecuting Authority (http://www.npa.gov.za)
