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Corrupt prosecutor sentenced to five years in prison
During sentencing, the court heard that Zanele Molefe abused her position of trust and failed to deliver on her mandate as a prosecutor.
Image via Adobe Stock
A prosecutor who ended up on the wrong side of the law has been sentenced to five years in prison.
The Camperdown Regional Court in KwaZulu-Natal sentenced Zanele Molefe, 42, to an effective five years on 14 May following her conviction for corruption, theft and defeating the course of justice.
BRIBE OF R1 000 FOR CASE TO GO AWAY
Molefe, who was a District Court Prosecutor at the time of the offence has since been dismissed from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
NPA Regional spokesperson Natasha Kara said the incident occurred in May 2015 when Molefe worked at the Mooi River Magistrate’s Court.
It all began when Philani Hlela struck the glass doors of a convenience store owned by, Donovan Carter, causing damage to the value of R10 000 and Molefe was allocated the case.
“She approached Hlela asking him for R1 000 to make the case go away. He paid her the money,” said Kara.
Hlela also later offered to pay the store owner a sum of R10 000 for damages which they both agreed upon would resolve the matter.
FORMER PROSECUTOR ABUSED POSITION OF TRUST
However, when the store owner did not receive his money, he started asking questions.
“Hlela advised that he had paid the R10 000 to Molefe three weeks before. He had met her outside the court building and gave her the money in a plastic packet, which she put into her purse,” said Kara.
The correct procedure was that Molefe should have made the arrangements via the court system instead of accepting the money in her personal capacity.
After being confronted with the allegation, the former prosecutor admitted to taking the R10 000 and spending it.
“She told him that she had spent it but agreed to pay him instalments of R2 500, which she did,” said Kara.
During sentencing, regional court Prosecutor Sharlene Lupke told the court that Molefe abused her position of trust and failed to deliver on her mandate as a prosecutor.
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