The 53-year-old Keemanao Julia Katong was found guilty and sentenced by the Kuruman Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Tuesday on five counts of corruption. According to the Northern Cape communication officer, Tebogo Thebe, Katong was arrested during an operation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team in 2019. 

The complainant received a contract to provide transport services for construction workers of Down Touch Investment. He adds that the complainant was then approached by the former councillor and demanded vehicle tyres as a form of gratitude in order for her not to terminate the contract. Katong further demanded monthly cash payments from the complainant. R14 500 was paid by the complainant to the accused in order to keep the contract.

Thebe says Katong threatened to terminate the complainant's contract, who could no longer make further payments, and the matter was reported to the Hawks. Katong was sentenced to four years of direct imprisonment for five counts of corruption.

OFM News