The kingpin in the illegal sale of state land in Lenasia and Ennerdale will appear tomorrow, 15 August 2014, at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for sentencing after being found guilty of 94 counts of fraud. The kingpin Richard Zikhali made admissions for his involvement in the crimes and he remains in custody after his arrest in 2010 for defrauding people millions of rands through illegally selling of state land.
There are other suspects who were charged for various crimes together with Zikhali. One of them is Zikhali’s wife Hlengiwe Ximba who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years for corruption (three of which suspended). The other suspect Michael Magodola who was also facing 94 counts of fraud was found not guilty because of the admissions made by Zikhali.
In another matter, last month two more suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in the illegal sale of state owned land in Lenasia by the department’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption Unit and the Provincial HAWKS. The two suspects, David Mofokeng affectionately known as “Lepolisa” and Thabo Moloi appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrate Court last month where they were released on bail of R5 000 each.
The two suspects were arrested as they were trying to sell state land in the area to the HAWKS investigators. The two suspects have been under police watch for a period of time before they were caught red-handed.
Meanwhile an alleged fraudster Aaron Mkhabela who posed as an official of the Gauteng Human settlements will also appear tomorrow, 15 August 2014, at the Johannesburg Magistrate Court for trying to sell RDP houses and flats in Lehae and Mzimhlope to prospective buyers. The suspect was arrested in a sting operation by the Human Settlements Anti-Fraud and Corruption Unit, Provincial Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI) and the Hawks, after a tip off from one of the prospective buyers.
A complaint was lodged on the 6th February 2014 with the department's Anti-Fraud and Corruption Unit by the prospective buyer after she paid an amount of R1300 to the suspect in exchange for an RDP house. A follow up meeting was arranged where the suspect was arrested after accepting an amount of R1 000 from the complainant. He appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on the 10th of February 2014 and he is out on bail.
The court cases will take place as follows:
Date: Friday, 15 August 2014
Time: 9h00
Venues: Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court (Court A), Eloff Street, Johannesburg Magistrate Court (Court 15 or 16), Ntemi Piloso
For more information:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
