Fraudster gets five years in jail
ANC welcomes sentence, says it should deter others from engaging in fraudulent and corrupt activities
By ANDILE MOSHOESHOE
The African National Congress (ANC) in the Harry Gwala Region, has welcomed the five-year sentence handed down by the Durban Commercial Crime Court on former deputy Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Municipality.
Rosemary Zabani Mabi, is alleged to have committed the crime before the merger of Ingwe and KwaSani, now currently known as Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Municipality.
She was a deputy CFO at Ingwe local municipality at the time. Mabi committed the fraud when the CFO was on leave, and she was left in charge of the municipality’s coffers. She deliberately deposited money into bank accounts of companies that had never done any work for the municipality.
It is said that she then phoned the directors of the companies claiming the money was mistakenly deposited into their accounts. She asked that the money be return back. Municipal traffic officers were used as messengers to collect the money and take it back to her.
But surprisingly the money was never deposited back into the municipality’s bank account. She defrauded about R1-million. She was arrested with her accomplices who were councillors. Their case is still ongoing in court.
However, she turned state witness, which is why she only received a slap on the wrist. ANC Secretary in the Harry Gwala Region, Sindi Msomi has welcomed the sentence saying they cannot dispute the court ruling since their stand is always against any acts of fraud and corruption.
‘She deliberately deposited money
into bank accounts of companies that
had never done any work for the municipality’
KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Sipho Hlomuka has also welcomed the sentence saying it will serve as a deterrent to anyone who might be thinking of abusing their position in local government for personal enrichment.
“The judgement bolsters the Provincial Government’s view that any malfeasance by those who have been entrusted with the responsibility of serving our communities should never be tolerated.”
Hlomuka has also urged the law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in their fight against corruption.