The former Station Commander and his former Head of Detectives at KwaNobuhle Police Station in Port Elizabeth were each sentenced to seven-years imprisonment on Tuesday at the Specialized Commercial Crime court for charges of Fraud and Defeating the ends of justice.
Col Malifane Mapena (57), the former Station Commander will serve four-years direct imprisonment for Defeating the ends of justice as three years of his seven-year sentence was wholly suspended for five-years. On the other hand Lieutenant Mabhelandile Mlilwana (59), the station’s former Head of Detectives will serve four-years direct imprisonment for Defeating the ends of justice as well as two counts of Fraud. Three years of his seven-year sentence were wholly suspended for five-years.
From 12 to 16 October 2010 Lt-Col Mlilwana used a state vehicle to travel to Mount Frere to attend personal matters. During this period he was supposed to testify in a departmental trial in Uitenhage but told the trial’s presiding officer that he was attending a criminal case in Mount Frere. Mlilwana recorded in the state vehicle record book that he had used the vehicle during this period to attend a criminal case in Mount Frere. Investigation, however, revealed that the case he had referred to had been finalized long before this period.
Colonel Mapana was sentenced for Defeating the ends of Justice as he used various means to prevent the case against Mlilwana from being investigated by the Hawks. For example, he refused the investigating officer access to the vehicle registration book. Secondly, he tried to persuade the prosecutor to have the case withdrawn. Lastly, he tried to hide the vehicle registration book.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Head for the Directorate For Priority Crime Investigation, Major-General Nyameko Nogwanya, said the following, “There is absolutely nothing that will hinder us from investigating corruption. Not even members within our own ranks. Justice has prevailed.”
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