By OBAKENG MAJE

The former Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court financial clerk, Gontle Petronella Maphologela (42), has been fined R20 000 by the Rustenburg Serious Commercial Crime Court on 16 February 2024.

Maphologela was found guilty on eight counts of theft.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Warrant Officer Amogelang Malwetse said, between March and June 2021, Maphologela who was responsible for the management of funds derived from fines and bail monies, as well as other deposits made at the clerk of the court, selectively stole eight cash in transit bags containing money and manipulated the registers to avoid detection.

“The department audit conducted on October 2021, revealed that eight transactions amounting to R42 800 could not be accounted for thus the matter was reported. Through investigation by the Mahikeng based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, the accused was summoned to appear before Court and she made her first appearance in July 2023.

“After a series of court appearances, she entered into a plea agreement. She was found guilty on eight counts of theft and sentenced on 16 February 2024 to a fine of R20 000,” she said.

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