By OBAKENG MAJE
13 November 2025- The former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of North West Development Corporation (NWDC), Kudakwashe Mpofu (33), was sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Molopo. This was in terms of Section 276(1)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Act for fraud.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said Mpofu received an additional three years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of fraud during the period of suspension. Gunya said Mpofu was arrested in January 2025 by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit following probes into the use of a fraudulent South African permanent residence permit.
“The court heard that in March 2021, the NWDC advertised a position of Asset Manager based at its head office in Mahikeng. Mpofu applied for the post and submitted all required documentation, including a fraudulent permanent residence permit.
“He was appointed on 1 May 2021 and later promoted to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position on 1 June 2023. Investigations revealed that the permit submitted by Mpofu had never been issued by the Department of Home Affairs,” he said.
Gunya further said during the trial, Mpofu pleaded guilty to both counts of fraud.
In aggravation of sentence, advocate Nkhetheni Mudau argued that fraud remains a serious and prevalent offence in South Africa, particularly within the jurisdiction of the court. Mudau said the accused failed to disclose how he obtained the fraudulent document and benefited financially, earning over R3 million during his tenure at the entity.
Welcoming the outcome, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended Mudau for bringing the matter to a finality. Makhari said these sentences underscore the NPA’s commitment to combating and prosecuting commercial crimes that undermine public trust and institutional integrity.
The Guardian 