What’s within the whisky field? Mpumalangad trio allegedly collude to bribe prosecutor

Kebone Masange. Image: Oris Mnisi

NEWS

Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has served a Zimbabwe-born departmental head with a discover of intention to droop him following his arrest, along with a senior prosecutor and a Hawks unit commander, this week.

The trio had been arrested on allegations of utilizing bribery to have a cost of false citizenship withdrawn.

Provincial human settlements head Kebone Masange (51) was nonetheless battling to clear his identify following his arrest final September – on a cost of fraud referring to a violation of the Immigration Act – when he was nabbed once more on Tuesday with the 2 accomplices for allegedly paying a R33 000 bribe to a senior prosecutor to “kill off” the cost.

The opposite two are appearing Mpumalanga director of public prosecutions Matric Luphondo (52) and commander of the Hawks critical corruption investigations unit Lieutenant Colonel Ayanda Plaatje (45).

The trio allegedly colluded to bribe a prosecutor, Advocate Andrew Mphaga, to withdraw the fraud cost towards Masange.

Learn: Hawks roped in after Mpumalanga human settlements head issued with three completely different IDs

Mphaga was allegedly provided R5 000 money that was stashed inside a field of an 18-year-old Glenfiddich single-malt whisky on March 23 by Luphondo.

Then, on March 27, Plaatje allegedly provided him R28 000.

When Masange was arrested in Pretoria final yr, Mtshweni-Tsipane positioned him on particular depart.

He had not but returned to work when he ran foul of the regulation once more.

Mtshweni-Tsipane’s spokesperson, Sibongile Mkani-Mpolweni, mentioned:

Luphondo and Plaatje are additionally dealing with inside disciplinary motion for his or her alleged position on this crime.

Nationwide Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Sipho Ngwema mentioned the NPA had initiated “related labour processes” towards Luphondo, that means he will probably be charged and hauled earlier than a disciplinary committee.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale mentioned a disciplinary course of towards Plaatje was being initiated.

The trio had been granted R20 000 bail within the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court docket on Thursday, with strict orders to not intrude with witnesses.

Masange was initially arrested by house affairs immigration officers and handed over to the Hawks when info got here to mild that he had beforehand claimed to authorities that he was born in Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg and Brits whereas making use of for paperwork.

Learn: Mpumalanga cops stumped after third housebreaking at human settlements division

On the time, he had been dwelling in South Africa since 1995.

In accordance with the indictment, that is how Luphondo and Plaatje tried to affect Mphaga:

• On March 18, Luphondo phoned Mphaga and requested a gathering at a McDonald’s restaurant in Arcadia, Pretoria. There, Luphondo allegedly advised Mphaga that Masange was ready to do something to get out of the prison cost and that they need to assist him accomplish that.

• On March 23, Luphondo handed Mphaga the bottle of Glenfiddich whisky value R1 550. In the identical field was R5 000 in money. Luphondo advised Mphaga that additional cash could be forthcoming.

• On March 27, Plaatje requested Mphaga to fulfill him on the R21 Mandela off-ramp at Fountains. There, he allegedly handed Mphaga R28 000 in money.

The trio is charged with 4 counts of contravening the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Actions Act.

Sizwe sama Yende  Journalist