The Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has handed Pumla Ningiza a R100 000-fine or eight years imprisonment sentence following her conviction on fraud charges brought against her.
According to Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, in addition she was sentenced to five years imprisonment that was wholly suspended provided she does not commit the same offences during the period of suspension.
“During the period between November 2015 and May 2018, Ningiza as the Sheriff was instructed by attorneys and banks to be responsible for selling on auction and deposit the proceeds of the sales to the Sheriff’s account where the money will be kept until such a time it will be disseminated to the deserving beneficiaries, ” Mgolodela said.
She further added that in the period mentioned above, Ningiza undertook the auction and sale of properties that saw buyers and sellers conclude transactions amounting to monies in excess of R990 000. These monies were the transferred into the office of the Sheriff ‘s trust account, with the intention to pay the beneficiaries.
“The period in question saw Ningiza on November 6, 2015 preside over the auction of a property to the value of R167 000, followed by another one on April 21, 2017 to the value of R620 000 and another one on March 16, 2018 valued at R171 000. All these transaction come with an obligation for the official to transfer into the Sheriff’s Trust account with any part of it being utilised for any purpose that than what it was intended for.”
Mgolodela further added that upon application for the funds by beneficiaries, no payments could be made, prompting them to lay a complaint with the South African Board of Sheriffs.
“This led to the launch of an investigation that was eventually referred to Mthatha-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of the Hawks for further probing. The investigation revealed that the victims were prejudiced cash to the value of R995 000.”
Ningiza was arrested on December 3, 2020, and was released on R7000 bail following her first appearance before a Magistrate.
According to Mgolodela, Ningiza was ultimately convicted and sentenced after a series of court appearances. The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Obed Ngwenya lauded the team for their expertise and their detection skills to combat crime.
