Mbombela Hawks arrest court interpreter for allegedly defrauding family of accused
Court interpreter allegedly defrauds family of a rape accused of R2 500. He will appear in court on October 16.
An interpreter at the Mhala Regional Court in Bushbuckridge, Timothy Sibuyi (47), was arrested and appeared in court Monday September 18.
He was arrested by the Hawks Mbombela-based Serious Corruption Investigation team.
It is alleged that on November 17 last year, Sibuyi approached the brother of a rape accused. He invited him to his office at Mhala Magistrate’s Court. Sibuyi told him that since his brother was not legally represented by a Legal Aid Attorney, he (Sibuyi) could arrange a representative, but he had to pay gratification.
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When the complainant offered him R1 000 he refused, stating that the money was too little and he demanded R2 500. The money was raised by the family and R2 500 was deposited into his bank account.
The complainant reported the matter to the police and the case was transferred to Nelspruit Serious Corruption Investigation Unit for investigation. After the accused heard that a corruption case had been opened, he approached the mother of the complainant, paid R2 000 back and promised to settle the outstanding amount later.
After a thorough investigation by the Hawks, a warrant for his arrest was authorised.
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The accused was released on R5 000 bail and the case was postponed to October 16.
The provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber, applauded the team for the speedy finalisation of the case. He further urged the community to come forward if they had similar experience with the interpreter.
“That this is not an isolated incident. Corruption will not stop if we as citizens do not report and say enough is enough.”
During April 2021, a Calcutta Court interpreter, Zizwe Zitha (40), was also arrested for the same crime. His case was transferred to Nelspruit Regional Court. He will appear on November 19.
Gerber concluded by warning all officials to serve the country with integrity.
“You are employed to serve your community and not to enrich yourself by exploiting people’s vulnerabilities,” he said.
