Former TUT students get 6 years imprisonment for corruption

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The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentencing of three former students at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) for corruption committed almost six (6) years ago.

It is said according to NPA Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana that at around the beginning of 2016, 30 years Emmanuel Ramalata, Mpho Lesiba Kekana(35) and Nematshema Thanzielo(30) approached a security officer at the said institution, TUT about the possible renewal of a security company contract.

Ramalata and Thanzielo approached a security manager who is now deceased Mr Herman Thyssen and introduced themselves as student leaders.

Upon starting the conversation between them, they told Thyssen that they have an influence on which security company can be appointed or removed. Therefore, if he wanted his company to continue working for the university, they can make that possible for him.

Thyssen requested that they speak with his supervisor as he did not have any powers whatsoever to make any decisions.

“The supervisor reported the matter to the police, who then set up an operation.”

“A police official pretended to be the supervisor and met with Ramalata and Thanzielo, who made the same request they did to Thyssen. They said they needed an amount of R40 000, to ensure that their contract was renewed.”

Mahanjana added that an undercover police officer made arrangements that they meet at a hotel where an exchange of the money can be made.

An exchange was between the officer and the trio and shared it among themselves.

They were arrested as they were about to leave the hotel and the said money was recovered on the scene.

At the time of the incident in 2016, only Ramalata and Thanzielo were registered students, while Kekana could not register due to outstanding fees.

Making their appearance at the Pretoria Special Commercial Crimes Court earlier this week, they were handed down 6 years direct imprisonment.