A man who pretended to be Bokone Bophirima Premier, Supra Mahumapelo, and solicited money from people using the Premier’s name, has been found guilty by the Mmabatho Regional Court.

The 25-year-old Thato Hengari was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended to three years on condition that he does not get convicted of fraud or any offence involving dishonesty in the period of his sentence. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm by the court.

Hengari pleaded guilty to the charge of fraud and admitted to receiving money he was not entitled to. He was arrested late last year after he had approached several people asking them for money, claiming to be Mahumapelo or acting under his instructions.

A Member of Parliament in the Western Cape became suspicious of Hengari’s actions and contacted Office of the Premier to alert them about this impersonator.

Premier Mahumapelo has welcomed the sentence and reiterated his confidence in the country’s justice system.

“This must be a lesson to the accused that crime does not pay. I am happy that the law has taken its course,” Mahumapelo said.

The Hawks arrested Hengari near Kuruman in the Northern Cape.

The African National Congress (ANC) in Bokone Bophirima also welcomed the
guilty plea and the sentence.
“We are happy with the finalization of the case and the sentence imposed on Hengari. We hope that this will deter other people who think it’s acceptable to tarnish people’s names, especially leaders of the society such as Cde Supra,” said Deputy Provincial Secretary Susanna Dantjie.

“We have on several occasions mentioned that there are consistent efforts to smear the name of our Provincial Chairperson and this is one of the cases that show just how far some people are prepared to go to create unnecessary havoc. Our faith in the Justice System continues to be strengthened and we
believe that any other similar case that may come up would be treated with the same care,” she said.

Source: http://www.semphetenews.co.za