The hefty 15-year sentence against former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Engineering Head, Daniel Mthimkhulu, for three counts of fraud is a ‘significant victory’ against corruption.
This is according to Acting Minister in the Presidency Maropene Ramokgopa, who briefed media on Thursday on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.
Mthimkhulu was convicted and sentenced in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court for, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), misrepresenting his qualifications to PRASA and submitting a fraudulent job offer letter that he claimed to have received from a German engineering firm for a position at its engineering department.
This resulted in PRASA counter-offering and suffering prejudice amounting to some R2.8 million per annum.
‘Cabinet applauded the 15-year sentence of the former Head of Engineering at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, Mr Daniel Mthimkhulu, by the Palm Ridge Commercial Crimes Court.
‘This sentenc
e marks a significant victory in the fight against corruption and government’s commitment to rooting out dishonest practices and ensuring accountability at all levels,’ Ramokgopa said.
She said Cabinet also welcomed the work done by law enforcement agencies to hold the corrupt accountable for their misdeeds.
‘Cabinet welcomes the preservation order of R6.5 million against those involved in looting funds at the National Lotteries Commission. These actions support the implementation of the Anti-Corruption Strategy, which brings together law-enforcement agencies in the fight against corruption.
‘Cabinet further welcomes the ruling by a London Court to allow the extradition of British national and former Eskom contractor, Mr Michael Lomas, to South Africa to face corruption charges.
“Lomas will be extradited to face 41 serious corruption charges related to the construction of the Kusile Power Station. This ruling is also a vote of confidence in our criminal justice system and affirms our commitment to comply
with international human rights obligations,’ Ramokgopa said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit to conduct an investigation into allegations of corruption and maladministration at Eskom.
‘The signing… strengthens efforts to hold those involved in corruption activities at the State entity accountable. The proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between 1 March 2006 and 30 August 2024, and nine contracts will be investigated.
‘The President also amended a proclamation authorising the SIU to investigate further areas of allegations of corruption at the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform,’ Ramokgopa said.
Source: South African Government News Agency