Limpopo – A 52-year-old teacher employed by the Limpopo Department of Education was sentenced to a fine of R60 000 or five years’ imprisonment suspended for five years for fraud by the Special Economic Offences Court in Polokwane.
Refilwe Maphuthi Molepo was sentenced on Friday after pleading guilty to 10 counts of fraud and contravening the Public Service Act.
“In April 2012, a forensic investigator from the Polokwane-based Special Investigating Unit (SIU) received a proclamation for the investigation of serious wrongdoing in relation to the matters of unlawful conduct by an officer of the Limpopo Department of Education,” said Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, spokesperson for the Limpopo Directorate of Major Crimes Investigation, also known as the Hawks.
Between April 2010 and August 2012, the Hawks said, Molepo acted in the capacity of director of her own company and provided services to the department.
“As a result, she received payments above R430,000 without being authorised to do so or disclosing that she was engaged in remunerated work outside the public service.”
The matter has been referred to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Investigation in Polokwane for further action.
Molepo was traced and arrested in October 2023.
“The case was treated seriously until the accused (Molepo) pleaded guilty and was sentenced accordingly,” Mmuroa said.
Meanwhile, the deputy provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province, Brigadier Desmond Alexander, has commended the “wonderful working relationship” between the Special Investigations Unit, the Hawks, and the National Prosecuting Authority for their efforts to ensure a successful prosecution.
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