IOL reports that four former Department of Justice and Constitutional Development employees were convicted of theft this week. Mzikazi Mahlalasa, Letitia Mack, Yonela Ntsaluba and Nomthandazo Takayi were convicted in the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

According to the Hawks, a fifth accused died in March 2019. The theft took place between 21 August 2009 and 29 October 2010. Provincial Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, reported: “The accused persons were employed by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in Criminal Section New Law Courts at Gqeberha. Their duties entailed receiving bail payments, issuing bail receipts and capturing monies on the accounting system. The accused connived and issued bail receipts and never captured the transactions on the accounting system. All the accused directed the cash into their personal accounts.” An investigation by the Gqeberha-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks revealed that the department was prejudiced by more than R92,800. The accused were arrested in 2010 and were released on bail. After several court appearances, they were found guilty and they will be sentenced on 26 July.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jolene Marriah-Maharaj at IOL

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page