Former Free State prosecutor fined R120k for corruption, theft

The Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate Court has slapped former Free State prosecutor Nkululeko Ngcana, with a fine of over R120 000 for corruption, theft and defeating the course of justice.

The accused appeared before the Magistrates Court yesterday August 16, where he was convicted and sentenced.

Free State Hawks spokesperson captain Christopher Singo said Ngcana’s charges relate to two incidents.

The first matter dates back to September 2017, when Ngcana persuaded a suspect who was facing charges of operating a motor vehicle with a fraudulent license disc to pay R600 so the charges could be dropped.

Singo says the suspect then agreed to pay that amount as persuaded by Ngcana.

“Later, the suspect realised that Ngcana did not withdraw the charges against him as agreed. He then reported the matter to the senior public prosecutor,” Singo elaborates.

Another bribing incident occurred in January 2020, when Ngcana received R500 from a police officer, who asked him to pay an admission of guilt fine on his behalf. The fine was in relation to a charge of reckless or negligent driving.

“Ngcana took the R500 from the accused to pay on his behalf, but he did not pay to the court as agreed. The accused received summonses to appear in court for failure to pay the R500 admission of guilt. Upon enquiry at court, he found that Ngcana did not pay the R500,” said Singo.

The matter was reported to the senior public prosecutor.

Singo says the case was then escalated to the Hawks unit in Bloemfontein for further investigation.

Ngcana was arrested last year in February, and was released on a R1 500 conditional bail, but due to appear again court.

Yesterday, the magistrate handed down judgement as follows:

• The court fined Ngcana R60 000 on a charge of corruption or five years imprisonment.
• And another R60 000 on a charge of theft or three years imprisonment.
• Both sentences were wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of the same offence during the period of suspension.
• He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.