By Kabelo Abel Mokgalabone
THOHOYANDOU: A former prosecutor of Thohoyandou Magistrates’ Court, Leonard Makhado Ratshilumela (50) was convicted after he pleaded guilty in Giyani Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for corruption.
This follows an incident in May 2020, when Ratshilumela Makhado was arrested at Thavhani Mall in Thohoyandou by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Unit ( HAWKS) during an undercover operation for an alleged bribe to make the case disappear.
He demanded R6 000.00 gratification from the parent of the accused who was facing charges of reckless and negligent driving.
In his plea he submitted that he accepted gratification of R6 000.00 with the intention to destroy the docket of the reckless and negligent driving charges which were labelled against the minor child, instead of referring the case to the child justice court.
He is also facing four counts of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He will appear again in Sibasa Regional Court on 24 January 2023 for trial. He was trying to kill the witnesses in the corruption case by burning their house with petrol.
He remains in custody while awaiting sentencing on 21 November 2022.
