Sakhisizwe Local Municipality chief traffic officer, Kholekile Melford Mbambo (56), Lindikhaya Lengisi (42), a clerk in the same municipality and Noxolo Jane Mangwana (67), the driving school owner, have been handed different sentences following their conviction on corruption charges.
The trio was sentenced, on October 25, by the Ekhowa (formerly Elliot) Regional court. The fourth accused, Loyiso Nyembe (49), has since passed.
“During January 2010 a complaint was received from the office of the Presidency about the alleged corruption at Sakhisizwe Local Municipality’s traffic department where learners and drivers’ licenses were issued to undeserving persons in exchange for money as gratification.”
“A sting operation between East London based Serious Corruption Investigation and Eastern Cape Crime Intelligence was conducted and the corrupt conduct was witnessed in action. Through a thorough probing by the Hawks the municipality was prejudiced cash to the value of more than R20 000,” said Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela.
Mgolodela says the sting operation led to the arrest of Mambo, Lengisi, Mangwana and Nyembe, who were later released on bail. After several court appearances in the absence of Nyembe, the deceased, the remaining trio was convicted on July 21, 2022.
The Elliot Regional Court sentenced Mbambo to eight years direct imprisonment for two counts of corruption. Lengisi, on the other hand, was sentenced to 36 months correctional supervision and further fined R4 000 or four years direct imprisonment.
Mangwana, the driving school owner was sentenced to 36 months correctional supervision and a further fined R10 000 or 5 years direct imprisonment.
The team was commended by the Provincial Head Mboiki Obed Ngwenya for the tremendous job done.
