The Mpumalanga Hawks have rearrested Timothy Sibuyi (49), the former Mhala Regional Court interpreter, in Thulamahashe on Monday, October 7. Sibuyi has been charged with contempt of court after failing to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court where he was to face corruption charges on September 23.
According to the Hawks, Sibuyi failed to send any notice explaining why he could not be in court, and subsequently, a warrant of his arrest was authorised. It was executed on October 7 and as a result, Sibuyi’s R5 000 bail was forfeited to the State. This was the second time Sibuyi had failed to attend court, however, on his previous court date, September 7, 2024, he had managed to send in a doctor’s sick note.
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Sibuyi was first arrested on September 18, 2023, after he had allegedly demanded R2 500 from the brother of an accused person who was facing a charge of rape, which had occurred on November 17, 2022.
“He invited him to his office at the Mhala Magistrate’s Court. He told him that since his brother was not legally represented by Legal Aid Attorney, he could arrange a representative, but that he had to pay gratification,” said the provincial Hawks spokesperson, Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, in a statement.
“When the complainant offered him R1 000, he refused, stating that the money was too little, and he demanded R2 500.”
She said the suspect’s family raised the money and deposited R2 500 into Sibuyi’s bank account. That was the beginning of Sibuyi’s problems as the complainant reported the matter to the Mhala Police Station and the case was transferred to the Nelspruit Hawks on September 18, 2023.
After hearing that a corruption case had been opened against him, Sibuyi allegedly went to the complainant’s mother and paid R2 000 back, and promised to settle the outstanding amount later.
Following his arrest that day, Sibuyi was hauled before an internal disciplinary hearing where he was found guilty and dismissed from the Department of Justice.
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The provincial Hawks head, Major General Nicholas Gerber, has urged members of the community who might have had a similar experience to come forward.
“This is not an isolated incident. Corruption will not stop if we as citizens do not report it and say enough is enough,” said Gerber.
He further warned 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.”
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