Leonard Spark (62) and Ayanda April (35) have been sentenced to 6 years imprisonment after being convicted of fraud and corruption by the Bellville Regional Court.
Spark and April were arrested after the Hawks Serious Corruption unit uncovered major fraud concerning roadworthy certificates of Western Cape vehicles in the Eastern Cape (Port Elizabeth).
Several disruptive operations led by the Hawks in partnership with South African Police Service (SAPS) and Western Cape Department of Transport members were undertaken to dismantle the criminal enterprise that involved Western, Northern and Eastern Cape respectively.
The duo, was among six suspects arrested and were released on bail upon their court appearance on 20 March 2017. On 20 February 2017 they appeared in the Bellville Regional Court before Magistrate S Smith and pleaded guilty to Corruption.
Leonard Spark, the owner of Korsten Vehicle Testing Station in Port Elizabeth was sentenced to 5 years direct imprisonment, plus a further 5 years imprisonment, wholly suspended for 5 years.Further to this Spark agreed to a confiscation order be granted in the amount of R60 000.00. This amount he paid before his sentencing on 20 February 2018.
Ayanda April, an Examiner of Vehicles at Korsten Vehicle Testing Station was sentenced to 18 months direct imprisonment, plus a further 5 years imprisonment, wholly suspended.
The case against the remaining suspects, Elton Abrahams, Sumaya Kassiem, Grant Grobler and Hannes Adams will continue in Bellville Court on 2 March 2018.
The Hawks’ Provincial Head in Western Cape, Major General Nombuso Portia Khoza has welcomed the sentence against the duo saying it will deter many from being accessory to criminal acts.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
