According to a statement issued by the Hawks' regional spokesperson, Christopher Singo, the 57-year-old Joseph Mphunga was sentenced to four years direct imprisonment or a R20 000 fine. Meanwhile, the 34-year-old Nora Ramona and the 30-year-old Florina Kwenagae were handed four years direct imprisonment, with an option of a R20 000 fine of which half of the R20 000 is suspended for five years.

Singo said that the sentencing of the trio originates from an incident that took place in February 2020, where they approached a police officer and offered her R2000 to get rid of a human trafficking case against the wife of Mphunga. The police officer, who was offered a bribe, reported the incident, and investigations were opened, resulting in the arrest of the trio.

Mphunga, Ramona, and Kwenagae were arrested on Tuesday 24 May 2021 and they remained in custody until their sentencing on Tuesday.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi