Sello Jerry Thomo(50) was found guilty and sentenced by the Ermelo Magistrate Court on Wednesday 01 June 2022 for fifty counts of Corruption and Fraud after he was arrested by members of the Hawks Mpumalanga Serious Corruption Investigation in October 2007.

The sentence followed a lengthy investigation by the Hawks. During the time, the accused was employed at Ermelo licencing office responsible for issuing of learners and driver’s licenses. Investigation revealed that the accused person fraudulently issued learners and driving licences to people who were not tested. Licence holders testified in court that they paid money to get licenses without being tested.

Accused found guilty for Corruption sentence is 9 (nine) years imprisonment of which 3(three) years is suspended for 5 (five) years and Fraud sentence is 4 (four) years imprisonment and the sentences will run concurrently.

The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Zodwa Mokoena applauded the phenomenal labour by the investigation team and judiciary for securing such sentence to the people who were supposed to advice the public about safety on the road by encouraging them to be tested before they receive their licences. She further acknowledge the true community members who took courage to stand before court and testify against the wrongdoers. She also pleaded with all members of the community to report such types of occurrences.

Source: South African Police Service