Martin Mlotshwa (61) was found guilty of corruption and sentenced by the Bethal Regional Court on September 29.
The sentence comes after a lengthy investigation conducted by the Hawks’ Middelburg-based Serious Corruption Investigation Unit.
Mlotshwa, who is a Sead public clinic nurse in Emzinoni Bethal, demanded gratification from a patient who went to the clinic to terminate a pregnancy four years ago.
Mlotshwa introduced himself as Sithole.
ALSO CHECK: Homeless Bheki keeps park in Cullinan clean
He told the patient that the termination services would not be possible because she was already 12 weeks pregnant.
However, he offered to help her if she paid him R700 gratification. They then made payment arrangements.
The matter was reported to the police and transferred to the Hawks for further investigation.
An undercover operation was authorised and executed, and the accused was arrested upon receipt of the gratification money on July 2, 2019.
ALSO CHECK: Attack on traffic cops in Evander: suspect appears in court
During the investigation, it was established that the real surname of the nurse was Mlotshwa. Mlotshwa appeared in court on several occasions until the matter was finalised and he was found guilty.
He was sentenced to eight years direct imprisonment. The provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber, applauded the investigation team for their excellent investigation that led to the appropriate sentence.
He congratulated the prosecution for the appropriate sentence handed down.
“This will send a stern message to government and private citizens to refrain from corruption, no matter how small as it might just land you behind bars for a lengthy time,” said Gerber.
