The Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court has sentenced a man to a fine of far more than the R200 gratification that resulted in him being found guilty of corruption.
The sentencing of Edward Christopher Abraham (38) on 5 October is a result of the investigation by the Bloemfontein-based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team.
Capt. Christopher Singo, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the accused had been sentenced to pay a fine of R20 000 for trying to pay an administration clerk at the Free State High Court gratification of R200 in June 2021.
“Abraham approached the clerk and offered him R200 gratification to fast-track his defaults judgments for approval.
“A sting operation was then conducted at the court on 18 August 2021, in which Abraham was arrested after being caught paying the gratification to the complainant,” said Singo.
The police seized an amount of R200 and a cell phone during the arrest.
Abraham is originally from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
After the arrest the accused appeared in court multiple times, which culminated in his conviction and sentencing.
