By Tammy Petersen, News24
Cape Town – A home affairs official was handed a four-year prison sentence by the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday after accepting a R350 bribe for an ID document.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said in a statement that Mncedi Qambela, a former employee of the department of Home Affairs’s Wynberg office, had accepted the cash to issue certain documentation required in applying for an ID three years ago.
“On October 14, 2013 Constable Cassias Khuthu phoned the accused on his cell phone, identified himself as B. Nopanjwa and enquired whether the accused could supply him with an ID document, even though he had no supporting documentation,” Ntabazalila explained.
“The accused agreed and instructed Khuthu to bring along R350 for the ‘teacher’ who has to confirm that Nopanjwa (Khuthu) was one of his pupils in order to obtain a birth certificate.”
The policeman, posing as Nopanjwa, visited the man’s Wynberg office where they met and arranged with the man to return the next day with the cash.
Police then set up a sting and R1000 cash was handed to Khutu for the undercover operation.
“Khuthu entered the name ‘Bulelani Nopanjwa’ on the form, but did not fill in the date of birth. The accused then entered a fictitious one on the form.”
“The accused then instructed Khuthu to accompany him to the gents toilet where the R350 was handed over on request of the accused.
“The completed and stamped DHA-9 form was handed to Khuthu and the accused instructed Khuthu to phone him again later in the day.”
When he phoned, there was no answer.
“On October 23, 2013 Khuthu pointed out the accused … and he was then arrested. The money which the accused required Khuthu to pay constitutes a gratification,” Ntabazalila said. – News24
