SECOND DAY OF APPEARANCE FOR THE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL

FOLLOWING yesterday’s conviction of eleven government officials for fraudulently acquiring government subsidized houses, eighteen more civil servants were today (24 April 2008) found guilty by the Pietermaritzburg regional court of defrauding the housing department.

This brings to 29 the number of civil servants who have been convicted by the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court this week for illegally acquiring government subsidised houses.

Like the first batch of fraudsters, all the eighteen civil servants have also signed the Admission of Debt and undertaken to pay back the money for the houses with interest. Some have started paying their instalments which are calculated over a certain period to equal the subsidy amount at the time of application. 

However, the sentences were suspended on condition that they don’t engage in similar fraudulent activities.

The offenders, some of whom are nurses, teachers and school principals, had falsely claimed in the affidavit that they were unemployed at the time of application.

 Their fines ranged from R3000 to R10000.

The offenders will keep the houses as long as they adhere to the conditions in the Admission of Debt they signed, failing which the suspended sentences will become effective.

The outcome of today’s court ruling will be conveyed to various government departments where some of the convicted civil servants are employed for possible disciplinary actions.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Local Government, Housing and Traditional Affairs Michael Mabuyakhulu said the while the offenders had received suspended sentences they were not off the hook yet.

“If they don’t pay back the money, the sentences will kick in. The court has sent the strongest message that those who engage in fraudulent activities will not escape the long arm of the law,” he said.  While we accept the court judgment we are also contemplating instituting civil legal processes so that we can eventually reposes the houses because we feel they should have gone to deserving beneficiaries,” he said.

For more information Xolani Xundu: 082 775 5744 and Lennox Mabaso: 082 8842 403

ENDS