A prosecutor based at the Hennenman Magistrates’ Court briefly appeared in the same court today, facing a charge of corruption. The matter against Tahleho Benedict Lehola (36) followed his arrest by the Welkom based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team yesterday, Thursday (09/03).
The case against him has been remanded to 17 April for further investigation by the Hawks.
Capt. Christopher Singo, provincial spokesperson of the Hawks, said Lehola’s arrest came after he allegedly took a bribe of R5 000 from a couple to withdraw two criminal cases against them.
“It is alleged that on 26 February, the prosecutor approached the complainant and demanded R5 000 from him to withdraw two criminal cases, one against the wife and the other against the husband,” he said.
Singo said the male complainant blew the whistle and alerted the Hawks about the alleged bribery. He said the complainant met with the prosecutor at his office at the Hennenman Magistrates’ Court where he paid the R5 000. “The prosecutor was arrested immediately after receiving the R5 000 from the complainant,” said Singo. He said Lehola was released on a warning, adding that the investigation is ongoing regarding the alleged bribery.
