Johannesburg - A couple was sentenced to three years' correctional supervision by the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday for illegally selling state-owned land, the Gauteng human settlements department said.
Muzwamandla and Elizabeth Poto also received 12 months' imprisonment for trespassing, but this was suspended for 12 months, said spokesman Motsamai Motlhaolwa.
“The Gauteng human settlements laid charges against the suspects after a thorough investigation by the department's anti-fraud and corruption unit,” he said.
The couple sold state-owned land in Lenasia during the period 2009 to 2012.
“We welcome the sentence because it has been proven that they committed fraud. It was my wish to see them serving time in jail so that a stronger message could be conveyed that crime does not pay,” said human settlements MEC Ntombi Mekgwe.
She said her department would pursue other people who were involved in the illegal sale of stands in Lenasia.
“We know that there are those who are still being harboured and we would like to warn them that we are still on their trail.
“They need to pay for their crimes and we are not going to rest until they face the full might of the law.
“My plea to those who were defrauded is to come out and expose those people,” Mekgwe said.
Sapa