Convicted former prosecutor, Leonard Makhado Ratshilumela. Photo supplied by NPA.
A former prosecutor was on Tuesday remanded in custody to await sentencing on 21 November 2022.
This was after Leonard Makhado Ratshilumela (50) former prosecutor of Thohoyandou Magistrates’ Court, was convicted after he pleaded guilty for corruption in Giyani Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
The conviction follows an incident in May 2020, when Ratshilumela Makhado was arrested at Thavhani Mall in Thohoyandou by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Unit, the HAWKS, during an undercover operation for a bribe to make the case disappear.
He demanded R6 000.00 gratification from the parent of the accused who was facing charges of reckless and negligent driving.
In his plea he submitted that he accepted gratification of R6 000.00 with the intention to destroy the docket of the reckless and negligent driving charges which were labelled against the minor child, instead of referring the case to the child justice court.
He is also facing four counts of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He will appear again in Sibasa Regional Court on 24 January 2023 for trial. He was trying to kill the witnesses in the corruption case by burning their house with petrol.
The National Prosecuting Authority condemns the behaviour of the former prosecutor and is disappointed that someone in his position could commit such crimes.
“We further commend the good work of police officers and the prosecutor who acted accordingly to ensure that justice is served, even against one of our own when they come into conflict with the law,” said NPA Limpopo Regional Spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi.