Ex-police spokesperson gets 5 years in jail

Mdunge was convicted last year of two counts of fraud and one of forgery for allegedly presenting a fake matric certificate to gain promotion in the police force and to gain entrance to do further studies at the University of South Africa.

In a very brief court session, Magistrate Thandeka  Fikeni said in sentencing that she had taken into account the fact  that Mdunge was a first time offender.

However, she pointed out that Mdunge held a position of status and was a high-ranking officer, and that white collar crime such as corruption and fraud is rife in society.

“There is absolutely nothing respectable about white collar crime,” she said.

Appeal

Mdunge’s lawyer, Advocate Yusuf Omar, sought leave to appeal the conviction and the sentence.

This was granted by Fikeni, who also extended Mdunge’s R5 000 bail conditions pending the outcome of his appeal.

Mdunge, 49, was convicted on a count of fraud for receiving a salary to which he was not entitled.

The highest rank a police officer can achieve in the police without a matric certificate is warrant officer. Mdunge had reached the rank of colonel.

He was found guilty of fraud for submitting his forged matric certificate to the University of SA to obtain admission to a National Diploma in Police Administration course.

Prosecutor Barend Groen told the court earlier this year that the State had determined that Mdunge had received R874 901.31 as a salary that he was not entitled.

This would be the difference between his salary as a colonel and that of a warrant officer.

However, on Monday Fikeni made no order for Mdunge to repay any money.

Author: News24

NewsWire ID: 3552

File photo: Gallo images