By Staff Reporter
MUSINA- Two accused Mr Ntapoleng Adler Munyai (47) and Miss Tshumbedzo Priscilla Namangani Mashito (47) were convicted and sentenced to a combined 42 years of direct imprisonment for fraud and corruption by the Musina Regional Court on 22 April 2024.
In March 2016, the Limpopo Provincial Traffic police officials stopped the driver of a truck with two trailers at the weigh bridge next to the Beit Bridge Border Port of Entry (PoE). The officers noticed that the documentation presented by the driver did not correspond with the truck and trailers
Munyayi approached the traffic officials and promised to give them fifty thousand rand (R50 000) gratification for the truck to pass. The traffic police returned the truck driver to Customs. When Customs gathered to search the truck, the driver fled from the scene. The truck was searched, and tobacco leaves with an estimated value of R6 million were found inside.
A case docket was opened and registered at Musina police station. Both the tobacco leaves and, the truck with two trailers were seized. The case was transferred to Polokwane-based Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for further exploration.
The meritorious investigations of the Hawks revealed that Mr Munyayi assisted the truck driver to pass through at the South Gate of the PoE. He was then arrested by the Polokwane-based Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigators. Later on, Mashito who was a Customs Official handed herself to the police at Musina. Both accused appeared before the court and were granted bail.
The case was given necessary attention until the accused were convicted and sentenced as follows:
Accused 1:
– Guilty in respect of count 1: Fraud
– Guilty in respect of count 2: Forgery
– Guilty in respect of count 4: Contravention of Section 4(1)(b) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act
– Guilty in respect of count 5: Contravention of Section 4(1)(b) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Act 12 of 2004
Count 1: Sentenced to fifteen (15) years imprisonment
Count 2: Sentenced to four (4) years imprisonment
Count 4: Sentenced to four (4) years imprisonment
Count 5: Sentenced to four (4) years imprisonment
The Court orders that the sentences imposed in counts 1 and 2 shall run concurrently and the sentences imposed in counts 4 and 5 shall run concurrently.
Accused 2:
– Guilty in respect of count 1: Fraud
Count 1: Sentenced to fifteen (15) years imprisonment
The truck and two trailers were forfeited to the state.
The Provincial Head in Limpopo, Major General Gops Govender welcomed the sentence and lauded both the investigation as well the prosecution for excellent work done in ensuring that the accused spends maximum time behind bars.
