A former Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) employee has been found guilty of accepting a R160 000 bribe while she was a project manager of Digital Vibes communications agency.
IOL reports that the crime occurred when Lizeka Tonjeni (49) was appointed by MISA to manage a contract worth nearly R4m awarded to Digital Vibes in 2018.
“From December 2018 until August 2020, she received payments of R160 000 that were not authorised, or due to her, from Digital Vibes,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.
Tonjeni was arrested after handing herself over to SAPS at Pretoria Central Police Station on 24 May 2022, and released on R5 000 bail.
She pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied receiving fraudulent payments from Digital Vibes, testifying that the payments received from that agency’s director – Tahera Mather, who had close links with former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize – were for weight loss and energy booster products she was selling.
She claimed she still owed Mather R85 000 because she was unable to deliver some of the products and pay back the money.
Witnesses employed at MISA gave evidence proving Tonjeni was guilty of the charges against her.
Magistrate Nicola Setshoege said Tonjeni’s evidence was untrue and dishonest. Sentencing will be on 6 June.
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