A man who scammed the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) of over R1,5 million was sentenced to eight years imprisonment by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court recently.
Phindi Mjonondwane, regional NPA spokesperson – Gauteng Local Division said in a statement the court heard evidence of how Christopher Tshivule, 46, “hijacked” a non-profit organisation (NPO) called The Message that operated in Bekkersdal.
The NPO’s main focus was youth development and empowerment. The chairperson of the NPO convened a board meeting and discussed the proposal to approach the NLC for funding. The board supported the idea and documents such as the NPO’s constitution and certificates were handed over to Tshivule, who had misrepresented himself as knowing a manager at NLC who could help them secure the funding. As funding was not forthcoming, the chairperson made inquiries with the NLC and discovered that their funding application had been approved and dividends were paid to an account of which Tshivhule was the sole signatory.
According to the grant application form, Tshivule misrepresented himself as the chairperson of the NPO, and applied for funding to the amount of R3 million to mobilise and organise a Traditional Arts Festival, amongst other things. On October 8, 2018, on the strength of the NPO certificate and fraudulent grant application form, funding worth R1,575 million was granted.
In aggravation for sentence, Senior State Advocate Phuti Matabane led the evidence of probation officer Makhavhu who recommended direct imprisonment, as he mentioned that the accused was driven by greed when he took the money that was meant to uplift the community of Bekkersdal.
Advocate Matabane argued that the NLC was on the brink of collapse as a result of greedy individuals like Tshivule who milked its coffers, without thinking of the members of society who benefit from such funds. He further argued that the accused pleaded guilty, not as a sign of remorse but because he was aware that there was overwhelming evidence against him.
Magistrate Brian Nemavhidi remarked that white-collar crimes have reached alarming proportions and that courts must send a message that crime shall be dealt with severely.
