Latest news with #MpumalangaHawks'
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- The Citizen
Ngodwana police sergeant sentenced for corruption
A former police sergeant who was stationed in Ngodwana, Remas Enock Mnisi (45), was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for corruption by the Nelspruit Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday, June 24. In 2021, the Hawks received a complaint that Mnisi, had stopped a vehicle with five occupants, including the complainant, a Mozambican national, at the Schoemanskloof turn-off (N4-Montrose interchange) while they were travelling to Marble Hall. According to the Mpumalanga Hawks' spokesperson, Warrant Officer Thandi Tshabalala, Mnisi demanded money from the driver claiming he was transporting illicit goods. 'Mnisi allegedly demanded R20 000 from the complainant, but reduced the amount to R10 000 after negotiations. The complainant only had R4 800 in his bank account, though. Mnisi then also instructed the complainant's employer to deposit R2 000 into the account, while he took him to Ngodwana Police Station. Mnisi withdrew the R4 800 from the complainant's account and took the cash,' said Tshabalala. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga military base stabbing: SANDF releases details Mnisi was found guilty of demanding a bribe. He was convicted on May 27. Three years of his sentence has been suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of the same offence during that time. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- The Citizen
Fake lawyer sentenced in Bethal court, immediately rearrested for fraud
The Bethal Magistrate's Court sentenced a man to four years' imprisonment or a fine of R20 000 for impersonating a lawyer in court. Ironically, while Doctor Sobetha (32) was still in court after being sentenced yesterday, June 5, he was arrested again for fraud that he allegedly committed in Moroka, Gauteng, in 2023. Following his sentence, the court ordered Sobetha to pay back the money amounting to R40 000 that he had charged his client in 2019, payable in instalments of R3 000 per month. The client was facing a murder charge and Sobetha represented him during his bail application. The state prosecutor could pick up from Sobetha's arguments that something was not adding up. He was requested to provide proof in court that he was indeed a legal practitioner but failed to do so,' said the Mpumalanga Hawks' spokesperson, Colonel Magonseni Nkosi. Nkosi said the Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation members that were in court immediately arrested him after which the matter was referred to the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for further inquiry. He said Sobetha was granted bail in 2024 and absconded, resulting in a warrant of arrest being authorised against him. 'An investigation led members of the Hawks' Tactical Operations Management System to Durban, where the suspect was arrested on May 22 this year,' said Nkosi. ALSO READ: Skukuza Regional Court sentences poacher to 14 years in jail He was brought back to Mpumalanga, where he appeared before the Bethal Magistrate's Court on Friday, May 30. The matter was postponed and Sobethu was remanded in custody until he appeared in the same court again yesterday. He pleaded guilty and the court sentenced immediately. Two of his four-year sentence was suspended for five years on the condition that he is not found guilty of a similar offence during that period. The Mpumalanga head of the Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber, warned people to consult with registered legal advisers. 'It is concerning if people are defrauded by people like Sobetha whose formal education does not even go beyond high school level,' concluded Gerber. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
