Richard Zikhali (49) the kingpin in the illegal sale of state land in Lenasia and Ennerdale will remain in jail for the next coming 5 years following his sentence for 94 counts of fraud by the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday. Zikhali was arrested in 2010 for defrauding people millions of rands by selling them the state owned stands.
Zikhali could have been sentenced to 10 years in prison as that would fit the crime that he committed but the magistrate considered the fact that he had already spent four years in prison as he was denied bail since his arrest in 2010.
He made admissions for his involvement in the crimes of selling state owned land. At the time of his arrest he was charged alongside his wife Hlengiwe Ximba who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years for corruption (three of which is suspended). The other suspect in the same case was Michael Magodola who was also facing 94 counts of fraud but was found not guilty because of the admissions made by Zikhali.
Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Jacob Mamabolo has welcomed the sentence of Zikhali and said this should send a strong message to every citizen that crime does not pay. “People should respect the law. If you commit crime the long arm of the law will find you,” said Mamabolo.
Mamabolo said Zikhali must stay in jail for his deeds. “This man has stolen from the poor and the state. People have been defrauded and lost their hard earned money. We were supposed to build RDP houses for those who cannot afford to pay for their own houses,” said MEC Mamabolo.
Mamabolo has urged people not to fall prey to unscrupulous individuals who go around masquerading as officials of government. “When people buy land they should check with the department and local government representatives before any transaction could take place. Any transaction that takes place in a boot of a car should raise alarm,” said Mamabolo.
The MEC also mentioned that the department is losing millions as they have to pay for the rates and taxes to the municipality because the ownership of the stands are in the name of the department. Mamabolo said they are not going to rest until everyone who benefited unlawfully has faced the law.
“The recent arrest of two suspects by the HAWKS and our internal busting unit in Lenasia demonstrate our commitment to rid the area of all the culprits,” said Mamabolo.
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 R5000 each.
In another matter that sat on Friday at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court the case of suspect Aaron Mkhabela was postponed to the 29th August 2014 after the defence attorney withdrew because the accused didn't pay his legal fees. Mkhabela who is out on bail, was arrested after he posed as an official of the Gauteng Human Settlements and tried 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.
For more information:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
