Fin24 reports that two former Free State housing officials have been handed suspended sentences after admitting to soliciting bribes from service providers between 2009 and 2012.
Twala Caroline Letanta Tshabalala, 58, and Ketloetseng Mildred Setlaba, 48, appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday. They both pleaded guilty and were sentenced for fraud and corruption. Hawks spokesperson Captain Christopher Singo said the pair, who were employed by the Free State Department of Human Settlements, demanded cash bribes from service providers "in exchange for facilitating payments". Singo added: "The accused falsified claims and supporting documents of service providers in order to process payments. Upon receipt of payment, service providers would then give the accused money as agreed.” The court sentenced Tshabalala to eight years imprisonment for fraud, wholly suspended for five years on condition that she was not found guilty of fraud during the period of suspension. Setlaba was sentenced to five years imprisonment for fraud and corruption, also wholly suspended for three years.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page