Corrupt official to spent time behins bars

Mogale City Municipal official Sylvester Vuyani Keyisi will spend time behind bars after he was sentenced to three years, half of which suspended, for fraud in the illegal sale of RDP houses at the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court. Keyisi was arrested and charged with fraud and corruption in December 2009, in a joint operation by the SAPS West Rand Organised Crime (HAWKS) and the Local Government and Housing Anti Fraud and Corruption Unit following a media exposé in one of the daily papers.

The official was working as the Community Liaison Officer for the Municipality and was paid R10 000 by Ms Lindiwe Tsambo, with a promise of an RDP house in Rietvallei. After his arrest, two more people came forward to report that they had paid Mr. Kerisi amounts ranging from R10 000 to R20 000 for the sale of RDP houses in Rietvallei Ext.2.

Local Government and Housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi said the sentencing should send a stern warning to officials who try to get involved in unscrupulous deals that they will face the law without any favours. “We don’t want people in our government who are hell bent on breaking the law thinking they won’t get arrested,” said Mmemezi.

Mmemezi said they are not going to rest in their laurels until all the people who are involved in the illegal selling of RDP houses are caught and sent to jail for their deeds.

He said Community Liaison Officers are entrusted with a huge responsibility of facilitating communication between government and community members.  “We will deal with anyone who takes advantage of the poor by promising them RDP house for a fee. Officials should not use their positions to manipulate the poor for their own benefits. People should also refrain from this practice of bribing officials in order to get houses, because one way or another we will find out that they are not the rightful owners of the houses they occupy,” said Mmemezi.

 “We would like to call upon those who have been made to pay money with a promise of an RPD houses to come forward and report such cases. No one will skip the queue because they have paid someone the money. We are in no way going to allow that to happen because we will be letting down the people who have long been waiting for their RDP houses,” said Mmemezi.

Mmemezi said this case serves as an example that government together with the media can play a crucial role in the fight against fraud and corruption by exposing fraudulent activities of corrupt and unscrupulous officials. Members of the public can blow the whistle on fraud and corruption on the National Anti Corruption Hotline 0800 701 701.

Enquiry:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
E-mail: Motsamai.motlhaolwa@gauteng.gov.za