Bongani Sibuyi convicted swindler sentenced
MPUMALANGA – Bongani Sibuyi (31) was found guilty and sentenced by the Bushbuckridge Magistrate Court for fraud and money laundering on Friday, 3 March 2023. The sentence was preceded by a lengthy and scrupulous exploration which was effected by the Serious Corruption Investigation team of the Hawks in Nelspruit.
The probe revealed that over the period between 2017 and 2018, Bongani Sibuyi recruited unemployed youth from poor rural areas of Bushbuckridge to be part of a skills development learnership programme. More than 300 youth registered for the project and they were informed to pay an administration fee of R250 each into a company account.
Learners were promised to receive a stipend of R3500 per month. A few months after the commencement of the project, learners embarked on a strike due to non-payment of the stipend as promised and as such the programme could not proceed.
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It was found that the company was not registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). Moreover, it was also not accredited by Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA).
The money deposited was not used for the purpose it was intended for, subsequently, Sibuyi was arrested with his partner. Swindler Sibuyi was found guilty of fraud and sentenced to thirty-six (36) months imprisonment or R60000,00 half of which is suspended whilst his partner was cleared on all charges.
Police urge anyone with any information on Crime to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
