The Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court has sentenced a former employee of Msunduzi Municipality to 10 years’ direct imprisonment for demanding a R100,000 bribe from a service provider.
The service provider was owed R1.5 million by the municipality.
Nhlakanipho Dlamini, 46, was employed as a fleet supervisor by the municipality in January 2020.
During the execution of his duties, Dlamini demanded a bribe from the service provider so that he could start processing the R1.5 million. However, he only processed R1 million and continued to demand cash to process the residue amount.
According to the Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, Dlamini was caught red-handed on January 17, 2020, after collecting cash from the complainant.
Mhlongo stated that this followed an intensive investigation and an undercover operation.
“He appeared in court and was released on bail. On August 27, 2024, Dlamini was found guilty on two counts of corruption; hence, he was sentenced,” he said.
Additionally, Mhlongo said Dlamini was sentenced to eight years’ direct imprisonment for the first count of corruption and another eight years’ imprisonment for the second count of corruption.
“Six years of count one and count two will run concurrently, meaning that he will effectively serve a total of 10 years’ direct imprisonment,” he clarified.
KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General Dr Lesetja Senona, welcomed the sentence and commended the investigating team as well as the prosecution team for the good work.
nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za
