Lenasia land scam to be sentenced
A man convicted of fraudulently selling land in Lenasia is expected to be sentenced by the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
In the last court proceedings, Mandla Dlamini, 75, pleaded with the court not to send him to prison.
"I will do anything, including paying back the money owed to the complainants, but please do not send me to prison," Dlamini said through a statement provided by a correctional officer.
His lawyer said Dlamini was old and pleaded with the court to have him perform community service instead of a prison sentence.
According to the Gauteng housing department, Dlamini sold land illegally to residents in Lenasia and Ennerdale and then promised to build them houses.
Two complainants, Mr Simelane and Mr Phungwayo, respectively paid him R17,000 and R12,000.
Dlamini was arrested in June last year. The court was told that he had a previous conviction of theft dating back to 1970.