KIMBERLEY – A director and his entity, who were previously found guilty on tax matters, have also now been found guilty in court on charges of money laundering and corruption along with an accomplice.

Recently, the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court found Rhulani Innocent Tshuketana (36), his entity Ribilwa Trading Enterprises, and an employee at Emthanjeni Municipality in De Aar, Lusapho Donald Williams (40), guilty as charged.

The trio made a first appearance before the Petrusville Magistrates Court on 3 December 2024 facing charges of corruption in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act and money laundering in contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

This follows the arrest of Tshuketana and his entity on 2 December 2024 in Midrand, whilst Williams was arrested the next day at his workplace. Both were arrested by members of the Serious Corruption Investigation team of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).

The court heard that in March 2020 a tender was awarded to Ribilwa Trading Enterprise to provide the municipality with personal protective equipment (PPE) without following proper supply chain management procedures. Preliminary investigations revealed that the company was repeatedly awarded tenders in a short period of time.

It was further discovered that Williams, a youth coordinator who is an employee of the Emthanjeni Municipality, had been receiving gratification from Tshuketana, the director of Ribilwa Trading Enterprise. Williams did not disclose any business interests outside his scope of employment and was not authorised to receive any remuneration outside his scope of employment.

Payments received by Ribilwa Trading Enterprise from Renosterberg Municipality amount to R1 614 455.

Previous tax convictions

After earlier court appearances in October 2024, the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court found Ribilwa Trading Enterprise guilty on contravention of the Tax Administration Act and was sentenced to a fine of R30 000. Tshuketana was sentenced to a fine of R50 000, of which R1 500 must have been paid on or before 7 November 2024 and thereafter R1 500 has to be paid on or before the seventh of each consecutive month until the fine is fully paid. The combined fine for both the entity and the owner amounts to R80 000.Accused in dock for alleged corruption, money laundering.

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In the latest court case, Tshuketana and his entity, as well as Williams, were found guilty on nine counts of money laundering and 27 counts of corruption. The matter was postponed to 27 January 2027 for sentencing, said Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe, spokesperson of the Hawks.