Witness: KZN housing cheats named

The Witness

KZN housing cheats named
24 Apr 2008

THE identities of 29 KwaZulu-Natal housing crooks have been revealed.

These civil servants have been convicted of lying about their income to
obtain government houses they were not entitled to, and have been given
suspended fines ranging from R3 000 to R10 000.

They have signed acknowledgement of debt agreements binding them to pay
back the cost of the houses, with interest.

The 11 government employees who pleaded guilty on Wednesday are from
Pietermaritzburg, while the 18 who pleaded yesterday are from various
areas of Durban.

“Some have started paying their installments, which are calculated over
a certain period to equal the subsidy amount at the time of
application,” said national Housing Department spokesman Xolani Xundu.

The civil servants, who earned too much to qualify for houses, are among
31 000 being probed countrywide for the same scam.

Those convicted do not have to give the houses back, as long as they
don’t default on their repayments.

Yesterday, a 19th accused, Kapenzeka Jerome Mfeka (63), of Inanda,
Durban, did not enter a plea and his case was adjourned until June 18
pending the advice of his attorney.

The outcome of the court cases will be conveyed to various government
departments, KZN Housing MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu said. He added that,
although the offenders received suspended sentences, they are not off
the hook yet.

“If they don’t pay back the money, the sentences will kick in. The court
has sent the strongest message that those who engage in fraudulent
activities will not escape the long arm of the law,” he said.

The SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) said: “Morally, it was wrong
for them to acquire houses in that manner, but one needs to look at the
underlying problems of housing provision, which is a legacy of our
past.”

Sanco’s Dumisani Mthalane said he thought the fines were an appropriate
sentence.

Convicted: Civil servants named

THESE 11 people were convicted on Wednesday and fined between R3 000 and
R10 000, suspended. They are from Pietermaritzburg.

Velaphi Absalom Mthethwa (66) Housing

Nokuthula Nkabinde (43) Education

Thembi Mkhize (54) Health

Mzwandile Gogela (53) Health

Patrick Siphiwe Malinga (34) Health

Thokozile Nonhlanhla Buthelezi (57) Education

Lungile Gwala (48) Education

Thobile Gumbi (42) Education

Thandeka Dube (44) Education

Zandile Thabede (41) Education

Philda Sisilana (65) Health

These 18 civil servants were convicted and fined between R5 000 and R10
000 yesterday, suspended. They are from areas around Durban.

Bhekuyise Shangase (48, Umlazi) Education

Mavis Biyela (49, Inanda) Health

Eugenia Pretty Ndlela (42, Cato Manor) Education

Dick Radebe (44, Inanda) Education

Zama Dlamini (54, Ntuzuma) Wife of an employee of the Education
Department

Ntombilane Mkhize (55 Panorama Gardens) Education

Dumisani Mbele (47, Inanda) Husband of an Education employee

Cynthia Sibisi (53, Inanda) Health

Khethiwe June Rose Makhanya (43 Zikalala Cottage) Education

Nichodemus Mbele (37, Ladysmith) Education

Ntombenhle Ndadana (39, Mayville) Education

Elizabeth Masuku (42, Inanda) Transport

Gladness Mthabane (47, Inanda)

Abegail Madondo (41, Inanda) Health

Busisiwe Thabethe (47, Ohlange Township) Education

Temba Madlala (50, Wartburg) Education (school principal)

Thabani Dube (48, kwaMashu) Education

Thembisile Dlamini (54) Newcastle Education.