DUO SENTENCED FOR TAXI PERMITS FRAUD

Photo: Hawks Logo

Supplied

By: Neo Ntsele

On Thursday 29, Masetjhaba Mastofolo Lucy Lesia 51, and Bongani Lehlohonolo Ngomane 41, appeared before the Welkom Magistrates' Court on charges of fraud, forgery, uttering, theft and money laundering. 

During 2019, provincial traffic officers were conducting their duties, taking stock of required documents and permits of taxis operating in Welkom, when they identified some discrepancies.

As a result, those affected were impounded. 

Preliminary investigation into the discrepancies discovered that some taxi owners paid the accused in order to obtain fraudulent taxi permits.

The case was investigated by the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation based in Welkom.

Six taxi owners came forward claiming to have each paid about R25 000.

Another accused involved in the same matter, Retshedisitswe Koloi, was convicted and sentenced for fraud in 2022. 

On charges of theft, Ngomane was sentenced to six years imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of theft during the period of suspension.

He was instructed to pay back the amount of R25 000 to the victim. 

The court provisionally withdrew the case against Lesia.