Sentencing postponed in land case
THE SENTENCING of a former City of Joburg employee for illegally selling state land in Lenasia was postponed by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
“The matter was postponed to December 15,” said Gauteng Human Settlements Department spokesman Motsamai Motlhaolwa.
“The accused’s legal representative was in court but was not feeling well.”
Sifiso Handsome Litau resigned from his post during internal disciplinary proceedings where three people, who had bought land from him, gave evidence.
In July he was found guilty of illegally selling land in Lenasia Extension 13.
Two other people – David Mofokeng, known as “Lepolisa”, and Thabo Moloi – were arrested in connection with the scheme in July and released on R5 000 bail each.
They were caught during a sting operation while allegedly trying to sell state land in the area to Hawks investigators.
Pastor Mandla Dlamini, 76, is serving a three-year sentence for his part in the crime.
Married couple Muzwamandla and Elizabeth Poto were found guilty on fraud charges in November last year and sentenced to three years’ correctional supervision.
They were also given 12 months’ imprisonment for trespassing, suspended for 12 months.
The alleged kingpin of the syndicate, Richard Zikhali, faces 94 counts of fraud and money laundering. He is to be tried in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court soon. – Sapa