The fraud case against lt col. Khuthula Salmina Majingo (47) has been remanded to 2 September in the Kestell Magistrates’ Court, in the Free State. The court adjourned the matter on 12 July following presentations by the state and the defence regarding the alleged fraud case against the senior officer.
A warrant to arrest Majingo was issued in June after the Serious Corruption Investigation unit of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), or Hawks, in Bloemfontein presented the matter to the prosecution authority. The officer is currently based in Vereeniging, Gauteng, and still an employee of the police force. She was released with a warning to reappear in court.
Lt Col. Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson of the Hawks, said an intensive investigation revealed Majingo allegedly committed the crime during 2012, shortly after she was promoted to her current rank.
He said the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit in Bloemfontein was tasked with investigating the alleged fraud after it was reported. It is believed she defrauded the police of thousands of rands after being promoted to a position that would require her to move to Kestell. However, the officer never relocated to Kestell.
“The resettlement cost is a benefit given to members who have been appointed to a post outside their primary place of residence,” Mohobeleli explained.
However, he said findings revealed Majingo did not reside in Kestell upon resuming her duties in her new post.
“Instead, she reportedly travelled in an official vehicle to and from work between Bethlehem and Kestell. Months later, she allegedly submitted a claim for resettlement costs to the amount of over R19 000 without having relocated to Kestell,” said Moholobeli.
