FORMER MKHUHLU MAGISTRATE’S COURT INTERPRETER SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS FOR CORRUPTION
According to Dineo Sekgotodi, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Hawks, Zitha was arrested on April 15, 2021, following accusations of soliciting bribes from an accused facing two domestic violence-related cases.
EZOMPHAKATHI
Buzizwe Zizwe Zitha (43) was sentenced to five years in prison for corruption after approaching an accused person, promising to have charges withdrawn in exchange for a bribe.
On Wednesday, October 13, the Nelspruit Specialised Commercial Crimes Court found Zitha, a former interpreter at the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court within the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, guilty of corruption and violating the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. He received an eight-year sentence, with three years suspended for five years on the condition that he does not commit another corruption-related offense during the suspension period. Consequently, Zitha will serve five years of direct imprisonment.
According to Dineo Sekgotodi, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Hawks, Zitha was arrested on April 15, 2021, following accusations of soliciting bribes from an accused facing two domestic violence-related cases. "In 2020, Zitha approached the accused, promising to help get the cases withdrawn if he paid him. He demanded money on several occasions, claiming it was needed for the withdrawal of cases, bail, and even for the prosecutor’s fuel and alcohol," Sekgotodi explained. The total amount extorted from the victim was R11,200.
The case was referred to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit in Nelspruit. After completing their investigation, a J50 arrest warrant was issued and executed on April 15, 2021. Zitha was arrested, charged, and held until his initial court appearance. On April 17, 2021, he appeared before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court and was released on R5,000 bail.
Following an internal disciplinary hearing, Zitha was dismissed from his position. The case was then transferred to the Nelspruit Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for trial, where Zitha appeared multiple times. On Monday, November 11, he was found guilty, and his bail was revoked, leading to his remand in custody. On Wednesday, November 13, he was sentenced.
Major General Nicholas Gerber, head of the Mpumalanga Hawks, commended the investigation team for their thorough work, which secured Zitha’s conviction.