Mbombela (Nelspruit) – Former Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court interpreter in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality 43-year-old Buzizwe Zizwe Zitha is going to prison for five years.
Zitha, who was found guilty of corruption, was sentenced by the Nelspruit Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday, (13 November 2024).
While working as an interpreter in 2020, Zitha solicited gratification from an accused in domestic violence-related cases, saying he could make the matter “disappear” for a fee.
Zitha demanded money from the complainant on different dates, claiming that the money was for the withdrawal of the cases.
The total amount extorted from the complainant was R11 200.
The Hawks Nelspruit-based Serious Corruption Investigation unit probed the matter and uncovered evidence of wrongdoing that led to the arrest of Zitha on 15 April 2021.
The accused first appeared before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on 17 April 2021, where he was granted R5 000 bail.
After his arrest, Zitha was dismissed from his court interpreter job.
The case was transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court at the Nelspruit Regional Court, where Zitha was put on trial.
Zitha made several court appearances before he was found guilty and convicted on Monday, (11 November 2024).
The accused’s bail was revoked and he was remanded in custody.
The case was adjourned to Wednesday, (13 November 2024), when Zitha was sentenced to eight years imprisonment, of which three years imprisonment is suspended for five years on condition that the accused was not convicted of corruption during the period.
Zitha will serve five years in prison.
