DPCI National Head (Dr/Adv) Godfrey Lebeya (SOEG) media engagement on Mtimkulu sentence

Members of the media,

Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon.

We are pleased to share the success attained by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the prosecution team in ensuring the successful conviction and sentence of Mr Daniel Mtimkulu, the former head of engineering at the Passenger Rail Agency South Africa (PRASA).

The case against Mtimkulu is one of the State Capture cases, some of which were recommended by the Zondo Commission. The State Capture National Investigation Task Team was established with the mission of conducting thorough and efficient investigations to gather prima facie evidence. To achieve this goal, the team gives priority to investigations and converts inquiries into case dockets.

The DPCI and NPA have established a collaborative “Task Team” dedicated to prioritizing state capture cases and enhancing coordination. The team is confident in its approach and remains committed to prioritizing these investigations to ensure the best possible outcome.

The team’s efforts made it possible for an amount of R 400 million to be economically recovered for South Africa.

The investigations encompass various entities and have led to the securing of attendance in court of more than 30 individuals (22 natural persons and 8 entities) and three successful convictions. These accused persons are inclusive of the following:

The Bosasa matters has since been referred to the ID.

This reaffirms the DPCI and NPA’s commitment to addressing the concerns regarding those implicated in state capture corruption.

The successful conviction and sentence of Mr Mtimkulu should serve as a deterrent to would-be fraudsters who use fake qualifications to attain higher positions, that though the wheel of the law seems to turn slowly, the ultimate closure/goal shall be attained no matter how long it takes. They should know that they are committing a serious offence that is not only detrimental to the economy of the country but also negatively affects the integrity of the Government.

Mr Daniel Mtimkulu (49) was convicted of three counts of fraud, and alternatives thereto (forgery and uttering )by the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge on 31 January 2022, and sentenced by the same court on Tuesday 03 September 2024.

The following sentence is a result of an extensive prosecution-guided investigation, during which Mtimkulu was charged with nine counts, including fraud, uttering, and forgery. Mtimkulu was found to have misrepresented his qualifications to Prasa, claiming, among other things, that he had obtained a Masters’ degree from the University of Witwatersrand, as well as a Doctorate in Engineering Management from the Technische Universität München (Munich Technical University) in Germany.

This was discovered upon his arrest in July 2015. As a result of the misrepresentation and fabricated CV and presentation of falsified job offer from Germany which led to the entity offering him a position of Engineering Services Specialist, PRASA suffered prejudice in that his annual salary was unduly hiked from R1.6 million as an executive manager to heading the engineering services for a salary of R2.8 million.

The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation was instrumental in ensuring that Mtimkulu was ultimately convicted.

The Johannesburg High Court attached both immovable and movable properties belonging to the convict on Friday, 15 March 2024, in line with the confiscation order of section 18 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. The Court also ordered Mtimkulu to pay R5.8 million to Prasa to recover the proceeds of the crime. Mtimkulu was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for counts 1 and 6 years imprisonment on counts 4 and 8. He was acquitted on other charges. The 6 years imprisonment will be served concurrently with 15 years imprisonment.

This confirms to the public that State Capture cases on the DPCI table will continue to be dealt with. We have already recorded 2241 statements.

“It is important to note that despite these accomplishments, the fight against national priority offenses continues to be an ongoing challenge that requires sustained commitment and collaboration. The DPCI reiterates its commitment to work diligently to address the evolving threat and bring those who engage in criminal activity to justice.”

The DPCI remains committed to its mandate of investigating, preventing, and combating national priority offences and shall at all times continue to enforce the law of the Republic without fear, favour, or prejudice. I thank you!!!

Members of the media,

Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon.

We are pleased to share the success attained by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the prosecution team in ensuring the successful conviction and sentence of Mr Daniel Mtimkulu, the former head of engineering at the Passenger Rail Agency South Africa (PRASA).

The case against Mtimkulu is one of the State Capture cases, some of which were recommended by the Zondo Commission. The State Capture National Investigation Task Team was established with the mission of conducting thorough and efficient investigations to gather prima facie evidence. To achieve this goal, the team gives priority to investigations and converts inquiries into case dockets.

The DPCI and NPA have established a collaborative “Task Team” dedicated to prioritizing state capture cases and enhancing coordination. The team is confident in its approach and remains committed to prioritizing these investigations to ensure the best possible outcome.

The team’s efforts made it possible for an amount of R 400 million to be economically recovered for South Africa.

The investigations encompass various entities and have led to the securing of attendance in court of more than 30 individuals (22 natural persons and 8 entities) and three successful convictions. These accused persons are inclusive of the following:

The Bosasa matters has since been referred to the ID.

This reaffirms the DPCI and NPA’s commitment to addressing the concerns regarding those implicated in state capture corruption.

The successful conviction and sentence of Mr Mtimkulu should serve as a deterrent to would-be fraudsters who use fake qualifications to attain higher positions, that though the wheel of the law seems to turn slowly, the ultimate closure/goal shall be attained no matter how long it takes. They should know that they are committing a serious offence that is not only detrimental to the economy of the country but also negatively affects the integrity of the Government.

Mr Daniel Mtimkulu (49) was convicted of three counts of fraud, and alternatives thereto (forgery and uttering )by the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge on 31 January 2022, and sentenced by the same court on Tuesday 03 September 2024.

The following sentence is a result of an extensive prosecution-guided investigation, during which Mtimkulu was charged with nine counts, including fraud, uttering, and forgery. Mtimkulu was found to have misrepresented his qualifications to Prasa, claiming, among other things, that he had obtained a Masters’ degree from the University of Witwatersrand, as well as a Doctorate in Engineering Management from the Technische Universität München (Munich Technical University) in Germany.

This was discovered upon his arrest in July 2015. As a result of the misrepresentation and fabricated CV and presentation of falsified job offer from Germany which led to the entity offering him a position of Engineering Services Specialist, PRASA suffered prejudice in that his annual salary was unduly hiked from R1.6 million as an executive manager to heading the engineering services for a salary of R2.8 million.

The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation was instrumental in ensuring that Mtimkulu was ultimately convicted.

The Johannesburg High Court attached both immovable and movable properties belonging to the convict on Friday, 15 March 2024, in line with the confiscation order of section 18 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. The Court also ordered Mtimkulu to pay R5.8 million to Prasa to recover the proceeds of the crime. Mtimkulu was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for counts 1 and 6 years imprisonment on counts 4 and 8. He was acquitted on other charges. The 6 years imprisonment will be served concurrently with 15 years imprisonment.

This confirms to the public that State Capture cases on the DPCI table will continue to be dealt with. We have already recorded 2241 statements.

“It is important to note that despite these accomplishments, the fight against national priority offenses continues to be an ongoing challenge that requires sustained commitment and collaboration. The DPCI reiterates its commitment to work diligently to address the evolving threat and bring those who engage in criminal activity to justice.”

The DPCI remains committed to its mandate of investigating, preventing, and combating national priority offences and shall at all times continue to enforce the law of the Republic without fear, favour, or prejudice. I thank you!!!