Mmakolobe Mathar Ramashala
Three teachers were convicted and sentenced for defrauding the Department of Education of R1,904 000 by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court last Friday.
In the first case, Mmakolobe Martha Ramashala (45), a professional teacher pleaded guilty for defrauding the Department of Education the amount of R918 000 and sentenced to R100 000 fine or five years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years.
The court heard that during April 2012, the Polokwane based Specialised Investigation Unit (SIU) received a proclamation for the investigation of serious maladministration in connection with the affairs of unlawful conduct by the official of the Department of Education.
Between April 2010 and August 2012, Ramashala acted on the capacity of a director of her own company and rendered service to the department. As a result she received payment amounting to over R918 000 without authority or disclosing to do remunerative working outside of public service.
The matter was transferred to the Polokwane based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Investigation for further investigations.
Ramashala was traced issued with summons to appear before court. The matter was investigated thoroughly until the accused pleaded guilty on 10 counts of fraud and sentenced according.
The Acting Provincial Head in Limpopo, Brigadier Alexander welcomed the sentenced and lauded both the investigation as well the prosecution for excellent work done in ensuring that another fraudster is sentenced.
In the second case, a 52 year-old teacher, Refilwe Maphuthi Molepo employed by the Limpopo Department of Education (DoE) pleaded guilty on 10 counts of fraud and Contravention of Public Service Act and sentenced to R60 000 fine or five years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years.
During April 2012, a forensic investigator attached to Polokwane based Special Investigation Unit (SIU) received a proclamation for the investigation of serious maladministration in connection with the affairs of unlawful conduct by an official of the DoE.
Between April 2010 and August 2012, Molepo acted in the capacity of a director of her own company and rendered service to the department. As a result, she received payment amounting to over R430 000 without authority or disclosing to do remunerative working outside of public service.
The matter was handed to the Polokwane based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Investigation for further handling.
Mrs Molepo was traced and arrested in October 2023. The case was given serious attention until the accused pleaded guilty and sentenced according.
Acting Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province, Brigadier Alexander praise the wonderful working relationship between SIU, the Hawks and Prosecuting Authority for their efforts in ensuring successful prosecution.
Thethethird case, a former teacher Collen Lekgolane Masweu (62) appeared before Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court facing charges relating to fraud and pleaded guilty as charged.
Between April 2010 and August 2012, Mashweu who was employed by the Limpopo Department of Education as a teacher acted on the capacity of a director of her company and rendered services to the Department of Education. As a result the department made payments amounting to over R556 000 without an authority or disclosing to do remunerative work outside of Public Service.
The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) based in Polokwane received a proclamation for the investigations of serious maladministration in connection with the affairs within the Department of Education, whereby allegation of unlawful conduct by the officials of the Department of Education in 2012.
In 2023, the matter was handed to the Polokwane based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Investigation for further investigation. The accused was traced and summoned to court.
The case was well-handled until the accused pleaded guilty on 10 count of fraud, Contravention of Public Service Act and sentenced to R100 000.00 fine or five years direct imprisonment whole suspended for five years.
The Acting Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province, Brigadier Alexander has lauded the meritorious investigations displayed by the Hawks and SIU for securing the prosecutions.
Colleen Lekgolane Masweu
Refilwe Maphuthi Molepo