CONVICTED Zimbabwean Zephania Zimunya, who was arrested a year ago in South Africa for producing fake driving licences was finally sentenced on Friday.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) reported that the man who operated from an internet café was sentenced to a year imprisonment after serving 11 months.
“On an investigation conducted by NTACU and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), a Zimbabwean foreign national, Zephania Zimunya, was convicted for producing fraudulent South African driving licences and foreign driving licences from an internet café he was operating in his backyard in Hercules, Pretoria.”
This follows his arrest on August 21, 2021 when members of NTACU and DPCI conducted a joint undercover operation at the identified internet café with the intention of purchasing the alleged fraudulent documentation and to arrest the suspect.
“During the operation, two undercover agents posed as clients needing fraudulent driving licences which they successfully purchased leading to the immediate arrest of the 48-year-old Zimbabwean male.
“He appeared in court and was sentenced to a year of imprisonment after being kept in custody for 11 months”. RTMC also explained that the court further directed that he be deported on completion of his sentence as he was also an illegal immigrant. RTMC also welcomed the sentencing of a 32-year-old male who was found guilty on three counts of fraud and corruption.
Offender, Kabelo Lebeya was arrested on May 28, 2021 during a joint law enforcement operation when he was approached and requested by two undercover senior investigators from the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU) to produce a licence disc, temporary driving licence and matric certificate.
According to RTMC, the accused requested an old licence disc and the identity numbers of the investigators which were provided immediately on a piece of paper. “The offender further informed them how much it would cost to produce the documents and that payment would be collected once the documents were produced.
“After two hours the documents were produced, and the offender was paid what was due to him. Moments after, the investigators returned with members of the SAPS and he was subsequently arrested.”
The offender pleaded guilty to all counts and was sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Soshanguve Magistrate Court. “The RTMC reiterates its commitment in dealing with fraud and corruption and urges members of the public to report all suspicions of malfeasances, bribery, fraud and corruption by sending a WhatsApp message to 0832937989 or sending an email to ntacu@rtmc.co.za,” RTMC urged. — The South African
