Msunduzi ratepayers celebrate justice as former fleet supervisor receives 10-year sentence
Msunduzi Municipality ratepayer associations welcomed the sentencing of a former fleet supervisor to 10 years imprisonment for corruption in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Thursday.
Image: Independent Newspapers Archives
Msunduzi Municipality ratepayer associations welcomed the sentencing of a municipal worker to 10 years imprisonment for corruption on Thursday.
The Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court sentenced Nhlakanipho Dlamini, 46, for two counts of corruption for an offence he committed in January 2020 while he was employed as a fleet supervisor in the Msunduzi Municipality.
Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks-DPCI), said that during the execution of his duties, Dlamini demanded a gratification of R100,000 from the service provider to process a payment of R1.5 million that was owed by the municipality.
Dlamini only processed a payment of R1 million and continued to demand cash to process the remaining amount.
'An intensive investigation was conducted, and an undercover operation followed. Dlamini was caught red-handed after collecting cash from the complainant. He was placed under arrest and charged with corruption,' Mhlongo said.
On August 27, 2024, Dlamini was found guilty on two counts of corruption.
The Northern Areas Residents and Ratepayers Association (NARRA) acknowledged the prosecution team for their diligence and commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Jimmy Naidoo, chairperson of the NARRA, said this successful outcome is a strong indication that consequence management is both possible and necessary in the public service.
Naidoo believes this case must serve as a precedent for ongoing and future investigations, as it is clear that corruption remains entrenched in many municipalities.
He added that the NARRA continues to advocate for transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance for corruption.
'We urge that more investigations be pursued vigorously so that those who abuse public resources are held to account. Only through consistent and decisive action can public trust in local governance be restored. We applaud the investigating and prosecution teams for getting to the root of the problem and encourage all oversight bodies to remain steadfast in the fight against corruption.'
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