LIMPOPO – The former Deputy Director at Kutama Sinthumule Correctional facility, Clement Raphalani (57) appeared before the Giyani Specialised Commercial Crimes court on Thursday, 17 February 2022 and fined R100 000-00 or face 10 years imprisonment for corruption. He was also found guilty on other numerous charges of related corruption by the same court and sentenced to R70 000-00 or 8 years imprisonment.

The co-accused, Clemenson Carriers (juristic person) was found guilty of corruption and fined R150 000-00. Clemenson Carriers was also written off.

Between 2017 and 2018, Raphalalani in his professional capacity as Deputy Director (Procurement Officer) at Kutama Sinthumule Correctional facility connived with his co-accused Thabo Makamane who was also a Deputy Director at the facility to award tenders to different companies without following due processes.

Raphalalani and his co accused who included three juristic persons, Clemenson Carriers, Penson Manufacturing and Vhalenda Zwashu were arrested during a sting operation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team in December 2018. The accused (Raphalalani) was previous convicted for corruption that also involved the facility and ordered to pay back R569 500-00 by the Giyani Specialised Commercial Crimes court. While the company Clemenson Carriers was ordered to pay back R369 380-00.

The facility has suffered a loss of R18 million due to these illegal activities. The other outstanding accused persons including Makamane and the juristic persons are yet to be sentenced.

Source: South African Police Service