It took 11 years for Thursheus Snyders (48) to be held accountable for his involvement in a corrupt scheme within the Kouga Local Municipality. The crimes, which occurred between 2012 and 2014, finally led to his conviction by the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on March 6.
According to National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, Snyders, a former Senior Administrative Officer for Auxiliary Services, was found guilty of unlawfully accepting bribes and favours in exchange for securing business for WOOA Telecomms CC.
He said that Snyders accepted multiple payments totalling R48 400 from WOOA Telecomms CC.
“In return, he manipulated procurement procedures and ensured the company received unfair advantages, including preferential treatment in tender processes and early payment of invoices for contracts to maintain telecommunication,” said Tyali.
He further said that police investigations revealed that Snyders had acted in collusion with Derval Coral Rust and Werner Rust from WOOA Telecomms CC to influence the award of municipal tenders, some of which were later cancelled due to fraudulent activities.
Tyali said that the court heard that Snyders has no previous criminal convictions and that his case has been remanded to April 14 for sentencing proceedings.
“The court has ordered the preparation of a probation officer’s report, a correctional supervision report, and a pre-sentence report ahead of the next hearing,” said Tyali.
He said that his co-accused, Derval and Werner, will face trial on April 7 for their roles in the corrupt activities that led to Snyders’ conviction.
“The NPA remains committed to holding individuals in positions of trust accountable for their corrupt actions. This conviction sends a clear message that those who abuse their office for personal gain will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Tyali.
