LIMPOPO – Ngoanametwa Gibson Thobakgale (40) was convicted for swindling unsuspecting businessman in Polokwane. Thobakgale was a local taxi driver in 2018, instead of earning his salary from transporting the commuters, he grew greedy and swindled an unsuspecting victim.

The victim had applied for a tender that was advertised by the Department of Education to provide security services at the schools around Limpopo province. He received a call from someone who claimed to be an official from Department of Education demanding R200 000-00 gratification in order to award a tender.

After verifying with the department that there was no such person working with them, the victim immediately notified the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation members, and subsequently an undercover operation was conducted. Thobakgale was arrested in Polokwane at Sasol garage near N1 North immediately after receiving R10 000-00 of the R200 000-00 he had demanded.

The accused was out on bail until he was convicted for fraud and corruption by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 23 August 2022. Thobakgale is expected back in court on 31 October 2022 for sentencing.

Source: South African Police Service