The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court sentenced a former Senior State Advocate to 10 years imprisonment with three years suspended for five years provided the former advocate is not found guilty of a similar offence. Ntombesihlanu Sonqishe was convicted of corruption on Tuesday, 26 September after R7000 notes were found in her possession from an accused person she promised to fix bail for, in exchange of the cash.
The accused reported the matter and the NPA swiftly acted on the allegations by the accused. The criminal justice system is crippled by activities of corruption, derailing the tireless efforts of committed court officials, who work diligently in ensuring that justice prevails. The NPA is dismayed that an officer of the court, tasked with delivering justice to the victims of crime, chose to neglect this duty for self-enrichment. The NPA condemns corruption as it erodes the good work done by prosecutors who remain faithful to their oath of office.
The institution refuses to be judged as a failure by society because of a few corrupt individuals who decided to be on the pockets of criminals. “Corruption erodes the confidence of citizens in institutions like the NPA and there exists a need to arrest the situation through harsher sentences in order to deter like-minded individuals’ said the Director of Public Prosecutions, Andrew Chauke in welcoming the imposed sentence.
Enquiries:
Hurbetin Phindi Louw-Mjonondwane
Regional Spokesperson: DPP South Gauteng
E-mail: hlouw@npa.gov.za
Cell: 083 402 4787
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