A woman who had gone to a police station to certify her documents was told that her matric certificate was fraudulent. The constable kept the documents and demanded money.
Durban — Days after a police constable and an administration clerk were convicted of corruption, a licence test applicant was arrested and appeared in court on the same charge.
On Friday, the Durban Magistrate’s Court convicted two government employees of corruption.
KwaZulu-Natal Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said that in June 2019, the complainant proceeded to Broad Street police station to certify her documents. When she arrived, she was assisted by Constable Andiswa Vezi, 43, who told her the matric certificate was fraudulent. She then retained the documents and demanded R3 000 gratification. An administration clerk, Ntuthuko Zondi, 41, plotted with Vezi and contacted the complainant for gratification.
Mhlongo said the matter was reported to the Hawks members from Durban Serious Corruption Investigation and an undercover operation was conducted.
He said Vezi was caught red-handed with R1 000 gratification and the complainant’s documents. She was placed under arrest and Zondi handed himself over later.
“They both appeared in court several times until they were found guilty today. The case was postponed to October 16 for sentencing,” Mhlongo said.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Sigcino Sinakhokonke Kunene, 27, briefly appeared in the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court in connection with corruption.
Hawks KZN spokesperson Warrant Officer Sibu Ncane said it is alleged that in September 2018, Kunene was an applicant at Mthonjaneni Municipality Vehicle Testing Facility to write a driver’s learner’s licence. He allegedly paid R2 500 as gratification to the officials to be assisted in passing the test.
Ncane said a corruption case was reported at Melmoth police station and the case docket was allocated to the Hawks members from Durban Serious Corruption Investigation for further investigation. An intensive investigation was conducted.
“On Monday, September 2, the accused was arrested and charged with corruption.
“The accused appeared before the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court. He was released on R800 bail. The matter was remanded to September 18, in the Richards Bay Regional Court,” Ncane said.
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