News / National
South Africa-based Zimbabwean businessman fined for bribery attempt
14 Dec 2024 at 10:54hrs | Views
A South Africa-based Zimbabwean businessman, Prince Dube, has been slapped with a hefty fine after being convicted of attempting to bribe investigators probing his identity document. Dube, the director of Intsukuzonke Motors, was found guilty of offering a bribe to halt an investigation that could have led to the termination of his contract with Wesbank, the company he was contracted by to repair government vehicles.
According to police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd Ramovha, the bribery attempt occurred on April 3, 2024, when Dube approached a Wesbank forensic investigator with an offer of R60,000 (approximately US$3,353) in exchange for halting the investigation. The inquiry had uncovered that Dube's identity document was marked for deletion by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), which would have resulted in the immediate termination of his contract.
"The forensic investigator promptly reported the bribery attempt to the Special Commercial Crime Investigations (SCCI) office in Johannesburg," Ramovha said.
After a thorough investigation, a search and seizure operation was authorized by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and executed on April 5, 2024. Dube was arrested at the Wesbank offices in Fairlands while attempting to hand over the bribe money.
Faced with irrefutable evidence, Dube pleaded guilty to corruption charges. On December 11, 2024, the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court sentenced him to a fine of R60,000 or six years' imprisonment. Half of the sentence was suspended for five years, contingent on Dube not committing a similar offence during this period.
Major General Ebrahim Kadwa lauded the investigators and the prosecution team for their swift action in pursuing justice. "We are immensely proud to acknowledge the remarkable efforts of these dedicated individuals," he said.
Dube's conviction highlights the seriousness with which South African authorities are treating corruption cases, especially those involving attempts to obstruct investigations.
According to police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd Ramovha, the bribery attempt occurred on April 3, 2024, when Dube approached a Wesbank forensic investigator with an offer of R60,000 (approximately US$3,353) in exchange for halting the investigation. The inquiry had uncovered that Dube's identity document was marked for deletion by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), which would have resulted in the immediate termination of his contract.
"The forensic investigator promptly reported the bribery attempt to the Special Commercial Crime Investigations (SCCI) office in Johannesburg," Ramovha said.
Faced with irrefutable evidence, Dube pleaded guilty to corruption charges. On December 11, 2024, the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court sentenced him to a fine of R60,000 or six years' imprisonment. Half of the sentence was suspended for five years, contingent on Dube not committing a similar offence during this period.
Major General Ebrahim Kadwa lauded the investigators and the prosecution team for their swift action in pursuing justice. "We are immensely proud to acknowledge the remarkable efforts of these dedicated individuals," he said.
Dube's conviction highlights the seriousness with which South African authorities are treating corruption cases, especially those involving attempts to obstruct investigations.
Source - newzimbabwe
