Sipho Mpendulo Mapalala was sentenced to 4 years direct imprisonment without an option of a fine on 6 April 2023. This follows his conviction on 24 January 2023 after pleading guilty to corruption.
The accused was arrested by the Hawks’ National Serious Corruption Investigation and the Special Investigating Unit in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga during a joint operation that was conducted on 9 August 2021.
The accused person was arrested after offering and handing over fifty thousand rand (R50 000) to the complainant, an SIU official in order to have a case relating to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) against his sister disappear.
Mapalala was trying to protect his sister who is in the employment of the Department of Public Works in Mpumalanga.
The complainant had reported that the accused person contacted her and requested to meet with her. They met and the accused requested the SIU official to make the case against his sister disappear. Upon finalising the amount, Mapalala went to collect the money, of which he later returned and upon handing over the gratification, he was arrested.
The accused was searched and it was discovered that he had more cash in his possession an extra R63 600-00 was also seized.
The DPCI welcomes and applauds the multi-disciplinary team of the SIU, the NPA and Serious corruption for a well-coordinated and executed investigation which led to the accused being served his just dessert.
