Be careful when buying property from people, even if it is a municipal official, writes Randfontein herald journalist Roxy de Villiers.
Last month judgement was handed down in the Randfontein Magistrates’ Court to 49-year-old Walter Mfanelo Plaatjie, a ward councillor for Mogale City Local Municipality.
He was found guilty of fraud and corruption.
Regarding the fraud count, it was found that Plaatjie had sold a property stand in Rietvallei Extension 3 in 2008 without having the right to do so.
The stand in question was not his to sell as it belonged to someone else.
He was found guilty of corruption as he received benefits not legally due to him.
He was given a choice to pay a fine of R20 000 or serve a five-year sentence in prison. Plaatjie opted to pay the fine.
