Nomfundo Petronella Sambo (32) was handed a direct seven-year prison sentence in the Nelspruit Regional Court yesterday.
Sambo had been passing herself off as deputy president, David Mabuza’s niece. She used Thandeka Mabuza as an alias and made a startling allegation against the deputy president.
The convicted fraudster claimed that he had conspired to assassinate a business person involved in tourism. A criminal docket was opened at the Sandton Police Station on November 5, 2018.
ALSO READ: Suspected illegal miner wounded at Lily Mine
An investigation by the Hawks determined that Mabuza was not in the country at the time of the alleged conspiracy, casting doubt on Sambo’s purported relationship with him and the veracity of her claims.
She faced a number of charges, including concealing her identity, for which she was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.
ALSO READ: Top politician arrested for alleged rape
She was arrested in March last year and was released on R3 000 bail, which was withdrawn after she had failed to appear in court. On August 5, she pleaded guilty to all the charges and was remanded in custody until the trial was concluded.
She faced a myriad of charges, including opening a false case of kidnapping, theft and robbery at the Low’s Creek Police Station.
In this instance, Sambo claimed to have lost a work laptop and R4 000 in cash. The magistrate handed her seven years’ imprisonment on this charge without the option of a fine.
The Hawks’ national spokesperson, Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi said, “A further six years’ imprisonment was imposed on her for a fraudulent purchase of furniture valued at of R28 000 at Russells, Hazyview.”
