The Harrismith Magistrates’ Court has made a rogue prosecutor feel the full might of the law after being found guilty of corruption. The court has sentenced the culprit, Mahlomola Gideon Khuto (52), to eight years’ direct imprisonment on Wednesday, 15 November.
With compelling evidence presented, Khuto was found to have broken the law by soliciting a bribe from an accused person in 2011. His sentencing is a result of probing by the Bloemfontein Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit.
Capt. Christopher Singo, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said Khuto’s sentencing was transferred to Harrismith due to the availability of the magistrate. He said the accused had been appearing in Bloemfontein.
At the time of committing the crime, Khuto was in the employ of the Free State’s National Prosecution Authority (NPA). He was attached to the Batho Magistrates’ Court in Bloemfontein.
“On 19 December 2011, the Hawks received a complaint from the victim that Khuto, who was working as a prosecutor at the Batho Magistrates’ Court, demanded R500 so that he can withdraw a case. An operation was conducted, leading to Khuto’s arrest, in possession of the R500 he demanded from the victim,” said Singo. He said the court also declared Khuto unfit to possess a firearm.
Maj. Gen. Mokgadi Bokaba, Free State head of the Hawks, has commended the prosecutors and investigators who ensured the sentencing of the accused.
“We must not show mercy to people who abuse their positions of authority,” said Bokaba.
